unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl 

-zhəl;

-ˈyüzh-wəl

: not usual: as

a

: not normal or typical

It's unusual for him to work this late.

b

: different or strange in a way that attracts attention

an unusual design

c

: uncommon, rare

saw an unusual flower while hiking

d

: extraordinary sense 1, remarkable

a scholar of unusual ability

unusually adverb

unusualness noun

Synonyms of unusual

• uncommon
• strange
• funny
• weird
• rare
• extraordinary

Examples of unusual in a Sentence

It's not unusual for him to stay late at work.

a scene of unusual beauty

She has an unusual name.

Recent Examples on the Web

Current and former law enforcement officials told CBS News that move is unusual because HSI typically doesn't investigate shootings by officers. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

In the end, however, that unusual arrangement failed to salve Britain’s wariness about how the Chinese government could use Huawei’s equipment. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026

Historic Opa-locka City Hall is only 10 minutes away and features unusual Moorish Revival architecture. —Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

This is an unusual position for an exponent of the public sphere and communicative rationality to take. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unusual

• cruel and unusual punishment

Rhymes for unusual

• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel

Kids Definition

unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyüzh-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈyü-zhəl

: not usual : uncommon, rare

unusually

-ē

adverb

unusualness noun