: highly unusual : bizarre
an off-the-wall sense of humor

Examples of off-the-wall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over the last three months, Lazer Dim 700’s off-the-wall oddities have turned him from SoundCloud obscurity to internet sensation. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 What is Fashion Month without a few off-the-wall accessories and beauty looks? Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 Mar. 2024 Over the years, what the NFL now calls Super Bowl Opening Night has been a showcase for the bizarre – with reporters in gaudy outfits asking off-the-wall questions – at the same time traditional media members are mining for the latest nugget of new information. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 The inevitable holiday frenzy, of course, needs a frenetic soundtrack, and Hasil Adkins' off-the-wall psychobilly absolutely fits the bill. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 Spagnuolo said the defense had many guys — like Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Justin Reid — with high football IQs who also embraced off-the-wall calls. Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2024 Supreme is famous for its off-the-wall collabs that run the gamut from Airstream to Barbour to Honda. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2023 The story switches between moments of off-the-wall humor and more serious, heartfelt messages about love, friendship and the holiday season. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023 In the fifth inning, down 5-3, second baseman Marcus Semien led off with an off-the-wall double in left field that would’ve been a home run in 16 MLB stadiums. Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-the-wall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-the-wall was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near off-the-wall

Cite this Entry

“Off-the-wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-wall. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

off-the-wall

adjective
: very unusual : bizarre
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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