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

However, Cobb said while there isn’t a clear tie between El Niño and large-scale summertime heat waves, in general, this particular El Niño is unusual in multiple respects. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

The unusual attack Monday night stunned the elite principality on the Mediterranean Coast. — CBS News, 30 June 2026

HeatRisk is a newer tool that the weather service developed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to show how unusual the heat is for the time of year and how its effects on the body can build over several days and warm nights. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Memes featuring the prolonged point spread far enough for Cunningham to comment on her heated moment, giving some context to the unusual clip. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unusual

• cruel and unusual punishment

Rhymes for unusual

• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• 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