oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
Synonyms of odditynext
1
: an odd person, thing, event, or trait
2
: the quality or state of being odd

Synonyms of oddity

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Examples of oddity in a Sentence

Her shyness makes her a bit of an oddity in the business world. The zoo has such oddities as anteaters and platypuses.
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In the world of traffic oddities, one car straddling a bike path median — like a gymnast poised on a balance beam — could be called a fluke. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 That somebody was Dirk Dole, of California, who purchased Mystery Hill in 2022 and added an oddities museum and a gemstone mining experience. — Janelle D. James, ABC News, 29 July 2026 The soundtrack is iconic, the gameplay is fluid and responsive and rewards skilled players, and there were so many secrets to be found that Easter egg hunters are still discovering bits, pieces, and oddities to this day. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Mize’s situation also highlights all the oddities surrounding the Tigers’ trade-deadline dilemma. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oddity

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oddity was in 1713

Rhymes for oddity

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Browse Nearby Words

oddish
oddity
odd-job
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Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oddity. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oddity

noun
odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
1
: something odd
2
: the quality or state of being odd

More from Merriam-Webster on oddity

Nglish: Translation of oddity for Spanish Speakers

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