oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē 

plural oddities

1

: an odd person, thing, event, or trait

2

: the quality or state of being odd

Synonyms of oddity

• trick
• quirk
• trait
• characteristic
• peculiarity
• idiosyncrasy
• mannerism
• eccentricity
• singularity

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

The oddity is owed to political butt hurt. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Then came an oddity in a perfect game — a delay requested by the pitcher. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026

An oddity was ended in Santa Clara. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 14 June 2026

In recent times, the mountain has developed some modern oddities. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oddity

• commodity

Kids Definition

oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē 

plural oddities

1

: something odd

2

: the quality or state of being odd