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
  • An airline worker staying a night at a hotel near the airport entered their room, only to realize there was something strange about their view.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • Roman looks for instability in the first stars Perhaps the most exciting cosmic explosion discovery that Roman could make would be the observation of the strange explosive death of the universe's first stars.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • 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
  • Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • Daytime activity is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate rabies.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • The Southern rock outfit remains so beloved that even retrospective live collections can become commercial wins, which is a relatively uncommon feat for most acts, especially those that have been around as long as Lynyrd Skynyrd.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Ozzy also did his own occasional tours, including a stop at the Bradley Center on Dec. 14 of that year.
    — Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • Here, the car continues to be well-mannered, though the occasional dab for power triggers an overeager automatic into dropping a gear or two, sending the V12 into a fury.
    — Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • Macworld claims six colors are coming — again, this is one more than is usual and the only time there have been six was also 2022 when the iPhone 13 series added a green version.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Benetti was far from the only person in the sports world to poke fun at the moment.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of only
Adjective
  • Some 40 of these bizarre, geochemically-active sub-Neptunes are currently being studied observationally.
    — Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • As a result of a bizarre last-minute decision, the nominees in two Emmys categories will be announced Tuesday morning on CBS nearly four hours ahead of the TV Academy’s official nominations announcement, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • The path to extraordinary results starts with recognizing what already comes naturally to you.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Getty Images/Warren Little The World No. 1 will have the extraordinary chance to complete it on his 30th birthday, as his birthday, June 21, coincides with the final round of next year's US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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