bizarre

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​zarre bə-ˈzär How to pronounce bizarre (audio)
: strikingly out of the ordinary: such as
a
: odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or mode
His behavior was bizarre.
bizarre stories
a bizarre outfit
b
: involving sensational contrasts or incongruities
the bizarre timidity of a tall, strapping young man
bizarrely adverb
bizarreness noun

bizarre

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noun

botany : a flower with atypical striped marking
Choose the Right Synonym for bizarre

fantastic, bizarre, grotesque mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality.

fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

Examples of bizarre in a Sentence

Adjective I just heard the most bizarre story. She wore a bizarre outfit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
To those not fluent in the intricacies of right-wing media, some of what Musk said may have sounded bizarre or even foreign. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Parma is a city of inventive door knockers and narrow streets that become belligerently slippery after one instant of rain, and racks upon racks of men’s underwear in innovatively bizarre cuts and fabrics. Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bizarre 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bizarre.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, from Italian bizzarro

Noun

noun derivative of bizarre entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1648, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bizarre was circa 1648

Dictionary Entries Near bizarre

Cite this Entry

“Bizarre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bizarre. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bizarre

adjective
bi·​zarre
bə-ˈzär
: strikingly unusual or odd : fantastic
bizarrely adverb
bizarreness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bizarre

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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