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

On the broader disagreement, Wenski noted that differences between world leaders - even between a pope and a president - are not unusual. —Anna McAllister, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

In the hours after splashdown, space wonks noticed a large, unusual-looking white patch on the otherwise dark and scorched heat shield. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026

The structural forces compressing Gen Z’s economic entry point have been building for years, but converged with unusual force in the post-pandemic era. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026

The speed of the rollout was highly unusual for a program requiring contracts, meters, payment systems and administration, raising legitimate questions about how long it was being planned before the final vote. —Mark Powell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unusual

• cruel and unusual punishment

Rhymes for unusual

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