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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The discovery of the most distant odd radio circle to date lets researchers effectively look back in time. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 If the address looks odd, misspelled or unrelated to the company, skip it. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 As a writer Susan Orlean reigns over the quirky, the odd, the overlooked. —Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025 Any guilty pleasures or odd habits? —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Oct. 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
  • This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However, Daulton Varsho, who has been another clutch Blue Jays hitter throughout the postseason, smacked a single to center to score Springer to knot the game at one apiece.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Thomas Wentworth Higginson spent his leisure time writing down the strange new lyrics in his journal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The place was a dump, with paint chipping from the ceilings, floors slanted at strange angles, rodent droppings situated along the floorboards, and paper-thin walls that welcomed in bitter winter air.
    — Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • The shake-up leaves an unusual number of spots open on the party’s Central Committee, which began its term in 2022 with 205 members and 171 non-voting alternates.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Moose Jaw was actually unusual for its welcoming of Chinese immigrants, no small achievement in the often violently racist response to Asian immigrants to North America.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • While factory closures have not been uncommon over the past year, BGMEA officials say the industry is facing mounting pressures.
    — Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike Major League Baseball, fire sales are highly uncommon in the NFL when teams fall out of playoff contention.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • While some may view it as extravagant goods and high-end services, others see it as occasional splurges, unique experiences and good health.
    — Maddie McGay, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Daily and nightly tours now offer visitors its complex history, along with an occasional paranormal scare.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • The only surefire way to avoid this modern-day traveler's burnout is by taking the path less traveled.
    — Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But the Kirk commentary isn't the only potential source of the downward turn.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • In the film, Credenza runs the bizarre amusement park of Twitlandia alongside her husband — delighting in dirty pranks, filth and cruelty along the way.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • However, an anonymous NFL general manager has urged the team to target a bizarre position instead.
    — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Friday's purge reduces to just four the number of men serving on the Central Military Commission (CMC), including Xi – an extraordinary concentration of power, according to analysts.
    — Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Diet convened for an extraordinary session to elect Takaichi, who took over after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned with his cabinet earlier in the morning.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of extraordinary

Phrases Containing odd

Browse Nearby Words

odalisques
odd
oddball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on odd

Nglish: Translation of odd for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sequel spelled three ways with the incorrect ways crossed out and the correct spelling circled
Commonly Misspelled Words Vol. 2 Quiz Where are those red squiggly underlines when you ...
See All