unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl 

-zhəl;

-ˈyüzh-wəl

: not usual : uncommon, rare

unusually adverb

unusualness noun

Synonyms

• 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

Her words project a mix of quiet determination and strength in a way that’s unusual for Israel, where public figures rarely show vulnerability. —Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025

While Piaget was certainly correct in observing that children engage in a host of unusual behaviors, my lab recently uncovered evidence that upends some long-standing assumptions about the limits of children’s logical capabilities that originated with his work. —Celeste Kidd, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025

What was meant to be an aesthetic honeymoon video quickly sparked laughter online, when one newlywed noticed something unusual when watching back footage. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

The government has challenged the ruling, triggering a lengthy appeals process — highly unusual in immigration cases that don’t involve serious crimes. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

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