weird

adjective

\ ˈwird

Definition of weird

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of strange or extraordinary character : odd, fantastic

2 : of, relating to, or caused by witchcraft or the supernatural : magical

weird

noun

Definition of weird (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : fate, destiny especially : ill fortune

2 : soothsayer

Other Words from weird Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Shakespeare's Connection to Weird Example Sentences Learn More about weird

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Choose the Right Synonym for weird

Adjective

weird, eerie, uncanny mean mysteriously strange or fantastic. weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress queerness or oddness. weird creatures from another world eerie suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work. an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness. an uncanny resemblance between total strangers

Shakespeare's Connection to Weird

Noun

You may know today's word as a generalized term describing something unusual, but weird also has older meanings that are more specific. Weird derives from the Old English noun wyrd, essentially meaning "fate." By the 8th century, the plural wyrde had begun to appear in texts as a gloss for Parcae, the Latin name for the Fates—three goddesses who spun, measured, and cut the thread of life. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Scots authors employed werd or weird in the phrase "weird sisters" to refer to the Fates. William Shakespeare adopted this usage in Macbeth, in which the "weird sisters" are depicted as three witches. Subsequent adjectival use of weird grew out of a reinterpretation of the weird used by Shakespeare.

Examples of weird in a Sentence

Adjective

Cosmic strings are second only to black holes in the astrophysicist's pantheon of weird objects. They are narrow, ultradense filaments formed during a phase transition—called inflation—within the first microsecond of cosmic history. — Steve Nadis, Astronomy, October 2005 If you looked at them closely you realized they were carved with weird, pagan creatures, more like hobgoblins than men, half hidden among trees and leaves—here acanthus and there what looked like a palm tree. — Kate Atkinson, Case Histories, 2004 As an extended fictional device allegory is used mainly in didactic, satirical fables, such as Gulliver's Travels, Animal Farm and Erewhon. In these masterpieces a surface realism of presentation gives the fantastic events a kind of weird plausibility … — David Lodge, The Art of Fiction, 1992 My little brother acts weird sometimes. I heard a weird noise. That's weird—I put my book down right here just a few minutes ago and now it's gone.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But Ms Dewey-Hagborg is not didactic, showing the positive, weird and beautiful possibilities of new technologies as well as their dangers. — S.h. | New York, The Economist, "Heather Dewey-Hagborg mixes biotechnology and art," 15 July 2019 From there, things get a little weirder with rectangular volumes jutting out from the side of the building at various angles, creating the appearance of a fallen Jenga tower. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Shipping container building concept is part office, part sculpture," 3 July 2019 The result is a weird—in a good way—collection of stories, gathered from oral and written sources by Hearn. — Christopher Tayler, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 24 June 2019 Elizabeth seemed sweet, but not weird or idiosyncratic enough to bowl him over. — Steve Kolowich, Washington Post, "Date Lab: He thought she was sweet. But was she weird enough?," 20 June 2019 The universe is full of weird objects, but pulsars take the prize as the strangest things scientists can study directly. — Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, "Getting to Know Pulsars, the Lighthouses of the Cosmos," 12 June 2019 Across the country, Americans have put their own spin on the festivities, making the holiday weirder and more wonderful every year. — chicagotribune.com, "6 peculiar and patriotic Fourth of July celebrations across the country," 1 July 2019 It's been a weird, disjointed season to date for Eric Thames. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Corey Knebel tries to stay connected with the team," 30 June 2019 Later as Jake and Tana are making out in Tana's bed, Jake's mom walks in, and while that could have made things super awkward, Pam seems pretty used to walking in on weird stuff, being Jake's mom and all. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "A Complete Timeline of Tana Mongeau and Jake Paul's Relationship," 25 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But there’s no more time to rest, Betty’s alarm is blaring and her mother and brother are acting like nothing weird happened the night before. — Jessica Macleish, Teen Vogue, ""Riverdale" Recap Season 2 Episode 13: Archie Learns the Truth About Agent Adams," 8 Feb. 2018 Lewis called the off-season market weird, especially for guys his age. — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram.com, "Colby Lewis hoped to return but Rangers never offered guarantee," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weird.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for weird

Adjective

from construal as an adjective of weird entry 2 in weird sisters, name for the Fates of Greek and Roman myth (early Scots werd sisteris, Middle English wyrde systeres, Shakespeare weyard/weyward sisters, applied to the witches in Macbeth)

Noun

Middle English wird, werd, going back to Old English wyrd, going back to Germanic *wurdi- "fate, chance" (whence Old Saxon wurđ "fate," Old High German wurt, Old Norse urðr), derivative from the base of *werþan- "to come about, happen, become" — more at worth entry 4