oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
Synonyms of odditynext
1
: an odd person, thing, event, or trait
2
: the quality or state of being odd

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
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.
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 The oddity is owed to political butt hurt. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 The Black Cat Shoppe is a colorful spot for eclectic oddities and The Next Chapter Books & Art carries on the town’s rich literary history that dates to 1783 when the state’s first bookstore was opened in New Bern. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oddity

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oddity was in 1713

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Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oddity. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

oddity

noun
odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
1
: something odd
2
: the quality or state of being odd

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