unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl How to pronounce unusual (audio)
-zhəl;
-ˈyüzh-wəl
Synonyms of unusualnext
: 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

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
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.
So while the hundo bond is an unusual offering with some ominous historical precedents (particularly in tech), there’s clearly some hunger for it. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026 The company claims that the birds flew preset routes and returned to base on command, marking an unusual step toward animal-machine hybrids that blur the line between biology and robotics. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026 But hands down, the college's most unusual feature is its campus cats — as many as 1,600 of them. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026 The style makes a major statement with a towering, curvaceous block heel and tall, narrow platform, creating an intimidating height and unusual artistic shape. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unusual was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unusual. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unusual

adjective
un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyüzh-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce unusual (audio)
-ˈyü-zhəl
: not usual : uncommon, rare
unusually
adverb
unusualness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unusual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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