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

Perhaps one of the weirdest places is the bathroom. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The weirdest places we found scooters in 2018," 21 Dec. 2018 Athletic director Danny White and the Knights fans certainly don’t want to hear this, but another perfect season probably won’t even get UCF seriously considered for a spot in the semifinal — unless things get really weird. — Ralph D. Russo, The Seattle Times, "Michigan up to 4th in CFP behind Alabama, Clemson, ND," 7 Nov. 2018 Bass will boom with EPROM, things will get weird with Justin Jay, and so much more. — Kat Bein, Billboard, "Mark Ronson, Chris Lake, Slick Rick & More Lead Dirtybird Campout West 2018 Lineup," 10 July 2018 The very big difference there is that Clive and Maurice never even kissed and never did anything whereas Thorpe was incredibly promiscuous, which was weird. — Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY, "Hugh Grant talks about his 'Very English' return to TV, political scandals and marriage," 28 June 2018 Things got weird in the first few innings of the Cardinals-Brewers game June 21, and the Miller Park sound-system squad was ready to pounce. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Miller Park sound crew capitalizes on eerie Cardinals defense with 'Ghostbusters' theme on Thursday night," 21 June 2018 On the same note, if the clothing is fairly fitted but not stretchy, like a pair of cotton joggers, lifting may tend to stretch it out in weird ways. — Casey Johnston, SELF, "Ask a Swole Woman: What Are the Best Pants for Lifting Weights?," 13 Dec. 2018 The rapper also takes on the red carpet in his wonderfully weird way. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Bad Bunny Is the Goofy Fashion Heartthrob We Need Now," 28 Nov. 2018 Supporting a bill that would get rid of a major source of funding for those projects just seems like a weird way to show that. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "Environmental Measures on the 2018 Midterm Election Ballots You Should Know About," 18 Oct. 2018

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