odd

adjective

ˈäd How to pronounce odd (audio)
Definition of oddnext
1
as in single
being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

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2
as in strange
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion odd behavior that prompted one of the waiting passengers to alert airport security

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3
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the only odd grade for the exam was the one perfect score

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4
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced the odd occurrences in the area attracted the attention of people interested in psychic phenomena

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5
as in occasional
not often occurring or repeated with the exception of the odd sick day, he never takes time off from work

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of odd In an odd coincidence, Francis was supposed to have presided Saturday over a Holy Year audience in the Vatican’s auditorium for the staff of the Gemelli hospital and other healthcare workers. —Giovanna Dell'orto, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025 Follows a speedy 12-year-old sloth named Laura whose odd sloth family is left homeless by a devastating storm. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025 In an odd approach to trying to improve customer tech support, HP allegedly implemented mandatory, 15-minute wait times for people calling the vendor for help with their computers and printers in certain geographies. —Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025 Programmatic advertising often creates odd bedfellows. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
  1. single
  2. strange
  3. unusual
  4. uncommon
  5. occasional
  6. only
  7. bizarre
  8. extraordinary
Adjective
  • Likewise, small business optimism saw its single largest one-month gain ever recorded, a 41-point jump.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • However, the website was shut down the following day by Shopify, which hosts the brand’s e-commerce website, after the rapper reduced his online shop to a single T-shirt with a Nazi swastika displayed on the front.
    — Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Many had wondered what her future held with the company and that her acting like nothing had happened was a little strange.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • People say Yoko’s art is strange and her music is not very good.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Bringing such a case is highly unusual and winning a conviction would be difficult, according to current and former prosecutors.
    — Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Local meteorologists noted that these events were highly unusual for the region, with historical data showing only sporadic snowfall over the past several decades.
    — Jim Foerster, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Conflicting casualty figures are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of attacks in Syria's 13-year conflict that has killed half a million people.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Though reports of explosions at Iranian military sites are uncommon, past incidents have occurred.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • When do most of us wear gowns outside of the occasional black tie wedding?
    — Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • According to Vasudevan, short-haired breeds typically need brushing once a week and occasional baths, while medium to long-haired breeds, like the golden retriever in the clip, may need brushing a few times a week to prevent tangles.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • The Rays aren’t definitively the only hold-up, though.
    — Evan Drellich, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • His only real competition for the honor is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, but even then, Gilgeous-Alexander was a clear frontrunner at that point.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Then there’s The Island, a bizarre addition that blends traditional elements of role playing, live service and online multiplayer games together.
    — Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The bizarre incident occurred early Tuesday when authorities say a man hopped a metal fence of a home in the 900 block of Wakefield Avenue and set fire to a black sedan in the front yard.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • When these guys become older, their skills will be even more extraordinary.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Between 2019 and 2024, the average age of the fleet rose 2.2 years — an extraordinary increase given the higher retirement rate of aircraft during more than a year of COVID.
    — Oliver Wyman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of extraordinary

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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