Oddly: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when something is unexpected or out of the ordinary, often in a mild or neutral way.

• Oddly, the cat seemed to enjoy the water.
• She oddly decided to wear a coat in the middle of summer.

Used when something is bizarre or not easily understood, often causing surprise or confusion.

• Strangely, there was no one else at the usually busy park.
• He was strangely silent during the meeting.

Highlights something that is different from what is normal or common, without necessarily being strange or negative.

• The sky was an unusually bright shade of pink.
• She was unusually calm under pressure.

Implies something is strange or unique to a certain thing or person, often with a hint of curiosity.

• The house is peculiarly shaped, with lots of small rooms.
• He behaves peculiarly when he is nervous.

Use when something is strange but in a way that feels a bit humorous or surprising. It often matches casual conversations.

• Oddly enough, she showed up on time despite the heavy traffic.
• He was oddly cheerful despite the bad news.

Use when something strange also piques interest or curiosity. Often found in narratives and storytelling.

• Curiously, the cat seemed fascinated by the mirror.
• He looked at the ancient artifact curiously.

Use when describing something that is rare or uncommon. Often used to emphasize uniqueness or rarity.

• She has an uncommonly kind heart.
• The flowers in that garden are uncommonly beautiful.

Use in more formal or technical contexts to describe something that deviates from the usual or expected. Typically has a negative connotation.

• The patient's heartbeat was abnormally fast.
• It's abnormally cold for this time of year.