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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 Davis, a major Scritti fan, formed a delightful, odd-couple friendship with Gartside and contributed a trumpet solo to Provision, Cupid and Psyche’s 1988 follow-up. —Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026 Her longtime love for the odd kitchen tool wasn’t just about taste, but saving time, energy, and cleanup. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 But then the thirty-something dude in a newsboy cap does something odd. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026 Sorting the helpful from the odd Gilbertson said much of the early vetting in the Idaho murders was done by the FBI. —Ed White, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 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 officer fired a single shot from his handgun, striking Sosa-Celis in his right thigh.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Raise the minimum wage, ban private equity and institutional investors from buying single family homes, provide incentives to emerging industries like clean energy to bring new high paying jobs to Texas.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Probably closer to Mike Piazza strange.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Jones is no stranger to pushing for reunions.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • That unusual role for a spy chief raised additional questions from Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.
    — DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
  • What was unusual, in Lublin’s view, was for Bessent to reveal his thoughts on monetary policy — normally the purview of the Federal Reserve — and his insistence that Trump has the right to interfere with the decision-making of the central bank.
    — Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Those conditions are uncommon, but not unprecedented in the historical record.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
  • This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Scam centers proliferating as criminal gangs flout laws In Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, a failure to consistently enforce laws against human trafficking, labor abuses and criminal activities have allowed cyber-scam centers to flourish despite occasional crackdowns, the report noted.
    — Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • While occasional scooting can happen, recurring episodes usually signal an underlying issue with anal glands.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Long before his sermons, the bling, and the criminal convictions, Singh was the only son of a landlord in a quiet Rajasthan village, according to the group’s website.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Vinatieri was the only one in the class who was a part of the Patriots’ dynasty.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of only
Adjective
  • In a bizarre twist, Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund skied identical times — down to the hundredth of a second — in the morning and afternoon to tie for silver.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Of all the Manhattan’s children—and there are many—the Harvard Cocktail is perhaps the most bizarre.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • But the fundraising efforts have been an extraordinary example of the community that continues to exist, Frenkel said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The Poster House show is founded on the private collection of Michael Lellouche, who, in his introduction to the accompanying book, points out an extraordinary symbiosis.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of extraordinary

Phrases Containing odd

Browse Nearby Words

odalisques
odd
oddball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odd. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on odd

Nglish: Translation of odd for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All