odd

adjective

ˈäd How to pronounce odd (audio)
Definition of oddnext
1
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

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2
as in strange
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion odd behavior that prompted one of the waiting passengers to alert airport security

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3
as in unusual
being out of the ordinary the only odd grade for the exam was the one perfect score

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4
as in uncommon
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced the odd occurrences in the area attracted the attention of people interested in psychic phenomena

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5
as in occasional
not often occurring or repeated with the exception of the odd sick day, he never takes time off from work

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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 TikTok users zoomed in on their television screens that night, posting clips highlighting the odd energy being directed Meester’s way. —Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025 Members of Pavement take part in these events, interacting with the actors who play them, attending the exhibit with an odd and unnatural sense of nostalgic wonder, and participating in a post-screening Q. & A., moderated by the real-life film programmer Jake Perlin. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 May 2025 Held in the odd year after the presidential election since 1869, Virginia’s gubernatorial race is a cyclical scorecard for voters’ moods and the issues at the forefront of the national consciousness. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025 At first glance, these pieces seem to appear odd, with crooked teeth and protruding eyeballs. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd
  1. single
  2. strange
  3. unusual
  4. uncommon
  5. occasional
  6. only
  7. bizarre
  8. extraordinary
Adjective
  • The single leans into old-school hip-hop influences, and shows the love that both musicians have for the art form.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Instead, the only change Knoblauch made early came when switching out Josh Brown after Game 1 and inserting John Klingberg (the numbers above for the pairing are from a single game).
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Moses’s book eddies around with the energy of someone reporting back from a very long and strange evening clicking through Wikipedia links, enjoying every chance to add a tangent.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The Bengals added Fairchild in the third, so adding another lineman while there were more pressing needs is strange, especially a raw lineman like Rivers.
    — Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Nearly a hundred shiny black calves are frolicking in the pastures, including twin bulls (birthweight of 72 pounds each) whose mother is completely unruffled by this unusual occurrence and its maternal responsibilities.
    — Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
  • That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • The eminence whom the film casts as the prime mover of benevolent governance is Nelson Rockefeller, a liberal Republican (the breed wasn’t uncommon then) who was the state’s governor from 1959 to 1973.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In crime films with a socially conscious subplot about young people’s painful search for their place in Depression-era society, Garfield developed his natural ability to express an uncommon level of authenticity and truthfulness in any role.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Consistency turns occasional readers into followers who can predict your stance on related issues.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Those posts often highlight the overconfident way the AI Overview frames its idiomatic explanations and occasional problems with the model confabulating sources that don't exist.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • At the end of round 1, with Ward (No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans) and Jaxson Dart (No. 25 to the New York Giants) being the only quarterbacks selected, Sanders’ father, Deion, posted a video of Shedeur addressing the slide.
    — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The Giants weren’t the only ones to pass on Shedeur Sanders after an extensive scouting process.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • The presentation starts with teaching the compliment sandwich technique, but quickly goes off the rails as the participants ask more bizarre questions.
    — Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Heti’s writing is witty, reflective, and just bizarre enough to capture your interest even as people mill about in your peripheral vision.
    — Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • In the following months, Modi’s government introduced a series of extraordinary initiatives meant to solidify Hindu dominance.
    — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • One minor injury was reported in the extraordinary mishap.
    — Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of extraordinary

Phrases Containing odd

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odalisques
odd
oddball
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Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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