Bizarrely: meaning, definitions and examples

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bizarrely

 

[bɪˈzɑːrli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

used to describe an action or situation that is very strange, unusual, or unexpected

In a bizarre or extremely strange manner.

Synonyms

oddly, peculiarly, strangely, unusually.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bizarrely

Use when describing something that is extremely strange or unusual in an unexpected or absurd way.

  • Bizarrely, the cat started dancing on its hind legs
  • The meeting ended bizarrely when a clown entered the room
strangely

Use when pointing out something unusual, odd, or surprising, often with a neutral or slightly mysterious tone.

  • Strangely, the door was unlocked even though she remembered locking it
  • Strangely, he didn't show up at the party
oddly

Use when something is unusual or unexpected in a way that is not necessarily extreme, often invoking curiosity.

  • Oddly, she prefers pineapple on her pizza
  • The room was oddly quiet despite the crowd outside
unusually

Use when something is different from what is generally expected, often used to highlight an occurrence that is out of the ordinary.

  • The weather has been unusually cold this spring
  • She was unusually quiet during the meeting
peculiarly

Use for describing something that is unusual or distinctive in a way that often carries a particular sense or behavior unique to a situation or person.

  • He looked at me peculiarly, as if he knew something I didn't
  • The recipe has a peculiarly strong flavor that most people either love or hate

Examples of usage

  • He bizarrely claimed to have seen a UFO.
  • The painting bizarrely depicted a world where humans had tails.
  • She bizarrely decided to quit her job and travel the world.
  • The movie bizarrely ended with the main character waking up from a dream.
  • The actor bizarrely wore a chicken costume to the award ceremony.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'bizarre' comes from the French word 'bizarre', meaning strange or odd, which can be traced back to the Basque word 'bizar', meaning beard.
  • It was first recorded in English in the late 16th century, highlighting how many foreign influences shaped early modern English.

Pop Culture

  • The hit TV show 'The Twilight Zone' often featured bizarre plots that challenged the normal understanding of reality, making the term widely recognized.
  • Famous artist Salvador Dalí's surreal paintings exemplify a bizarre style, known for their dreamlike imagery and unexpected juxtapositions.

Science

  • In biology, many species exhibit bizarre characteristics, like the axolotl, which retains its juvenile features throughout its life, known as neoteny.
  • Researchers study bizarre animal behaviors in the animal kingdom, revealing the strange adaptations that help creatures survive in extreme environments.

Literature

  • Many authors, like Franz Kafka in 'The Metamorphosis', use bizarre scenarios to explore deeper themes of identity and alienation.
  • The absurdist movement in literature often includes bizarre elements to reflect the illogic of life and human existence.

Psychology

  • People often recall bizarre stories better than mundane ones due to the distinctiveness effect, making unusual memories stand out.
  • Bizarre dreams are common and can reflect one's subconscious, bringing to light thoughts and feelings that are often hidden during waking life.

Translations

Translations of the word "bizarrely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bizarro

🇮🇳 अजीब तरह से

🇩🇪 seltsamerweise

🇮🇩 aneh

🇺🇦 дивно

🇵🇱 dziwnie

🇯🇵 奇妙に (kimyō ni)

🇫🇷 étrangement

🇪🇸 extrañamente

🇹🇷 garip bir şekilde

🇰🇷 기묘하게 (gimyohage)

🇸🇦 بشكل غريب

🇨🇿 podivně

🇸🇰 bizarne

🇨🇳 怪异地 (guàiyì de)

🇸🇮 nenavadno

🇮🇸 undarlega

🇰🇿 қалыпсыз

🇬🇪 უცნაურად

🇦🇿 qəribə şəkildə

🇲🇽 extrañamente

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,876 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.