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 Plus, the odd backdrop to this year’s event is the fact that the highest-profile media transactions lately have involved entities splitting up. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 July 2025 Juve haven’t looked genuine title contenders in Italy for half a decade, and the current side is a mismatch of talented youth and odd signings. —Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 The odd creature turned out to be a new species of dragon millipede, according to a study published June 25 in the journal Invertebrate Systematics. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025 A number of senators and representatives — even including the odd Republican — are now calling Trump’s strikes unconstitutional. —Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 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
  • Support individual stems with single bamboo stakes; multiple stems may benefit from a grow-through grid or tomato cage.
    — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
  • Machado began the bottom of the sixth with a single grounded through the middle of the infield on the first pitch of his at-bat.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • The ever-shifting phases of Earth's moon present a wealth of targets for amateur astronomers to explore, ranging from magnificent craters and lunar seas to strange visual phenomena created as sunlight plays across the ancient surface, forming familiar shapes where none should be.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • No other high-profile footballer in the world has followed such a strange career arc, one that for at least two years has been leading him, circuitously but inexorably, to Saudi Arabia.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Now, several weeks of free rent are not uncommon, along with gift cards and other specials to entice renters.
    — Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Spotty cell service or none at all is not uncommon in parts of Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.
    — Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • There are occasional boring stretches, along with confounding ones.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Limited closet space may mean that following the one in, one out rule isn't just an occasional practice but is necessary in order to prevent your wardrobe from bursting at the seams!
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Guests are led behind a velvet curtain and through a hidden bookcase into the NAVI lounge inside Post Oak Hotel, the only Forbes Five-Star hotel in Texas.
    — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Back in 2014, batteries cost more and stored less energy per unit of volume and mass, and the only way to get to the end of a 45-minute race was for each driver to have two identical cars, swapping at a mid-race pitstop.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The pair then embark on a harrowing adventure, with Luke slowly turning into the most bizarre father figure ever.
    — Elliott Smith, EW.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • The items range from the everyday to the extraordinary.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The Spa The hotel has a small spa with a steam room, sauna, ice bath, and a relaxation room with extraordinary views of the mountains.
    — Becky Sunshine, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of extraordinary

Phrases Containing odd

Browse Nearby Words

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 6 Aug. 2025.

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