Definition of oddnext
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as in single
being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of odd The quarter is filled with some odd matchups for very good spots. Ava Wallace, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Dakota Fanning stars as Wendy, a construction worker in Anchorage, Alaska, whose relationship with Jack (Jake Johnson), a money manager and the divorced father of two young children, hits an odd obstacle. Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 And from there, its view of the cosmos is odd—more than odd, really, because the star experiences severely warped time and space. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026 That's odd given the hype Tesla built up at the Cybercab reveal in 2024. New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
Adjective
  • In a strange quirk of the 2026-27 fixture list, Leeds have been sent to the scenes of those crimes in quick succession once again.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In short, unruly crowds, strange smells, intrusive noise and late nights are not unique inventions of the TikTok era.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • If a machine encounters something unusual or gets stuck, someone monitoring the fleet can briefly intervene until the autonomous system is ready to take back over.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The changes occurred amid an unusual rollout of the blog post.
    Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Lucas says shootings involving immigration officers are not uncommon, and under this administration alone, there have been more than 20.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach areas that is uncommon with normal tidal ranges.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Church bells, owl hoots and sprinklers keeping the grass hydrated during this dry spell fill the space between the occasional motor trudging along a main road devoid of commotion.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside producing glassware and private commissions, the studio hosts occasional workshops in glass engraving and open houses.
    Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Jeremiah Johnson, vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, said asylum rates appear to be one factor, but the dismissals cannot be attributed to a single reason.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That represented Newcastle’s highest gate of the Premier League era — and also the most fans who had attended a single game inside St James’ Park in more than half a century.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • However, the extraordinary part is putting it all together, delivering 100 MW net, fitting the system aboard a movable ship, and doing it for $587 million.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In this state, the fluid gains extraordinary heat capacity and flow properties, carrying more thermal energy to the surface with minimal flow resistance.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Occasionally, this appeared to be in jest (although not actually very funny).
    Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Mulligan should win for her darkly funny, cringe-inducing turn, though Snook, Pidgeon and sentimental favorite Field are all in play too.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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