odd number
noun
: a whole number that is not able to be divided by two into two equal whole numbers
The numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 are odd numbers.
Examples of odd number in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Polish practices from Danny's heritage infuse the season, including celebrating the holiday on Christmas Eve, having an odd number of dishes in their Polish meal, leaving an empty place for deceased ancestors to come visit, and doing a breaking of bread with oplatki, thin Communion-like wafers.
—
Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.
—Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The notices are required by both state law and the federal National Voter Registration Act, which requires county clerks to maintain accurate voter records and confirm voters in odd number years.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Aug. 2025
To address the structure of the legislature, the proposal would tie the size of the General Assembly to the state’s population as determined by the decennial census, with one state Senate seat per 215,000 residents, rounded down to the nearest odd number.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
The odd number of hot dogs sparked debate on the internet.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Choose one or two flowers as the focal point, then use an odd number to surround them for balance.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
But dogs are happiest on their own, stepping on their water bowls,
staring up at the mystery of a closed door,
walking from room to room
before making three circles
like the odd number of flowers in a vase.
—Billy Collins, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
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Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.
—Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The notices are required by both state law and the federal National Voter Registration Act, which requires county clerks to maintain accurate voter records and confirm voters in odd number years.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Aug. 2025
To address the structure of the legislature, the proposal would tie the size of the General Assembly to the state’s population as determined by the decennial census, with one state Senate seat per 215,000 residents, rounded down to the nearest odd number.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
The odd number of hot dogs sparked debate on the internet.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Choose one or two flowers as the focal point, then use an odd number to surround them for balance.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
But dogs are happiest on their own, stepping on their water bowls,
staring up at the mystery of a closed door,
walking from room to room
before making three circles
like the odd number of flowers in a vase.
—Billy Collins, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Odd number.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odd%20number. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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