Oddment: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word originated in the early 19th century, combining 'odd' which means unusual or strange, with the suffix '-ment'.
• Earlier forms of the word appeared as 'odd' in Middle English, which related to being different from the usual.
• It may also be related to 'oddity', meaning something strange, suggesting an early connection between being unusual and leftover items.

Commerce

• In retail, 'oddments' can refer to leftover stock or discontinued items offered at discounted prices.
• Oddments often appeal to bargain hunters seeking unique or one-of-a-kind products.
• Some thrift shops thrive on selling oddments, creating a treasure hunt experience for shoppers.

Fashion

• In fashion, 'oddments' might include garments or accessories that don’t match existing collections or sets.
• Fashion designers sometimes curate collections that intentionally feature a mix of oddments to create an eclectic style.
• The idea of incorporating oddments into design promotes sustainability by reusing and recycling fabric scraps.

Literature

• Many authors use oddments in storytelling to represent characters or situations that stand out and defy conventions.
• Literary works may use the term to describe unexpected twists or elements that don’t quite fit the narrative.
• Poets often find beauty in oddments, highlighting irregularities in life, much like a poet's unique voice.

Psychology

• The idea of keeping oddments can signify emotional attachments to minor objects that evoke memories or feelings.
• Psychologists note that some individuals collect oddments, reflecting their personality traits or past experiences.
• Oddments may represent cognitive dissonance, where something that doesn’t fit into one’s expectations prompts new ways of thinking.

With rank #42,948, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.

• ...
• 42945 loutishness
• 42946 mangier
• 42947 gimcrackery
• 42948 oddment
• 42949 bounciness
• 42950 rowdily
• 42951 guesstimating
• ...