Eccentric or unconventional (10) Crossword Clue
Answer: UNORTHODOX (10 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Eccentric or unconventional" with 10 letters is "UNORTHODOX". "Unorthodox" refers to something that deviates from traditional norms or accepted practices. It describes ideas, behaviors, or actions that are unconventional or outside the mainstream. This term often implies originality, uniqueness, and sometimes even rebellion against established standards.
Why “Unorthodox” Fits
The clue asks for a 10-letter word meaning both “eccentric” and “unconventional.” The answer, UNORTHODOX, fits perfectly:
- Eccentric: “Unorthodox” describes something that is out of the ordinary, unusual in manner, idea, or approach essentially, eccentric.
- Unconventional: It also directly means not following established rules or traditions; methods, views, or behaviors that are unconventional or different from what is usually accepted.
This dual definition makes “UNORTHODOX” a precise and elegant solution to the clue.
The word “unorthodox” has Greek roots: orthos (right) and doxa (opinion). Someone with “orthodox” views has “the right opinion;” someone “unorthodox” does not.
Origins: Traditionally used to describe religious views outside accepted dogma, but now applies to any practice, idea, or person who is different, innovative, or out of the mainstream.
- An unorthodox teaching style might use games and improvisation instead of lectures.
- An unorthodox campaign strategy could buck established trends to gain attention.
The word naturally bridges the concepts of being both eccentric (odd, unpredictable) and unconventional (not traditional).
In quick crosswords, clues like “eccentric or unconventional”:
- Are classic double-definition clues two related adjectives that point to a formal term.
- For longer answers (10 letters), look for compound words or terms with prefixes like “un-,” “non-,” “anti-.”
- Recognizing “unorthodox” as a word that means both “not following tradition” and “odd” simplifies the solve.
Spotting the overlap between synonyms for “different” and “nontraditional” helps you zero in on answers like “unorthodox.”
