oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
1
: an odd person, thing, event, or trait
2
: the quality or state of being odd

Examples of oddity in a Sentence

Her shyness makes her a bit of an oddity in the business world. The zoo has such oddities as anteaters and platypuses.
Recent Examples on the Web Yet some oddities meant that an ocean couldn't be ruled out. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024 An array of vintage signs and other collectibles, including some oddities, hang on the walls and from the ceiling. Gwen Filosa, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2024 The debate was something of an oddity in modern American politics, so perhaps it can be dismissed as an outlier. James Freeman, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024 The calendar oddity means this year is actually 366 days long, instead of the regular 365. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 This upcoming week signifies quite the oddity from the schedule makers with the Rockets set to travel to Oklahoma City on Tuesday for a rematch against the Thunder before traveling to Phoenix for two consecutive matchups with the Suns, on Thursday and Saturday. Rahat Huq, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Hong’s sly, slippery oddity suggests there are worse ways to live. Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024 The evidence for this ocean comes in the form of orbital oddities that are seemingly impossible to explain by anything other than the presence of an ocean. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024 Oddly: RuPaul's Drag Race, season 11 The oddest oddity of them all, Yvie Oddly unapologetically injected the strongest hit of trippy absurdity into the world's foremost drag pageant. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oddity was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near oddity

Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oddity. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

oddity

noun
odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
1
: something odd
2
: the quality or state of being odd

More from Merriam-Webster on oddity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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