Unieke

Unieke is a Dutch adjective meaning one of a kind or distinctive. It is used to describe nouns that stand out from others due to rarity, special features, or exceptional quality. In everyday language, media, and marketing, unieke conveys a strong sense of singularity.

Etymology and form: Unieke derives from the base adjective uniek, itself from the French unique and ultimately from Latin unicus meaning “one.” In Dutch, the form changes to unieke when used with definite nouns or in the plural: het unieke kenmerk, de unieke kenmerken. With an indefinite article, the form is typically unik in practice, as in een uniek kenmerk. The predicative form is usually uniek: Dit ontwerp is uniek.

Usage and nuances: The word often emphasizes absolute distinctiveness rather than relative advantage. It is stronger than synonyms like bijzonder or apart. In branding, unieke is common to highlight exclusivity, authenticity, or exceptional design. When describing multiple items, zowel de unieke eigenschappen als de unieke kenmerken kan correct zijn, depending on definiteness. Verbal constructions use uniek in predicative position: Het product is uniek, niet gewoon. Be careful not to overstate: in some contexts a less strong term like speciaal or bijzonder may be more accurate.

Related terms: uniek, bijzonder, apart, exclusief, zeldzaam. See also terms related to rarity, authenticity, and categorization.