Oddness: meaning, definitions and examples

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oddness

 

[หˆษ’dnษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

quality of being odd

The state or quality of being odd; strangeness; peculiarity. Oddness can refer to something that is unusual, unique, or unexpected. It can also describe the state of being different from what is considered normal or conventional.

Synonyms

peculiarity, strangeness, unusualness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
oddness

Use 'oddness' when describing something that is slightly out of the norm or unconventional in a mild or intriguing way.

  • The oddness of her behavior made everyone at the party curious.
  • There's an oddness about this painting that I can't quite put into words.
strangeness

Use 'strangeness' when describing something that feels unfamiliar or alien, often causing discomfort or perplexity.

  • There was a strangeness about the abandoned house that gave me chills.
  • The strangeness of the situation made everyone uneasy.
peculiarity

Use 'peculiarity' when referring to something that has a distinctive or unique characteristic that sets it apart from the rest.

  • One peculiarity of this town is its colorful houses.
  • His speech had a peculiarity that made it memorable.
unusualness

Use 'unusualness' when highlighting something that is not commonly seen or experienced, often neutral in tone.

  • The unusualness of the design caught everyone's attention.
  • She embraced the unusualness of her style with confidence.

Examples of usage

  • He was drawn to the oddness of her sense of humor.
  • The oddness of the situation made everyone uncomfortable.
  • The oddness of his behavior raised some concerns among his colleagues.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'odde', which meant 'uneven', showing its roots in describing asymmetry.
  • A similar word, 'odd', has been used since the 13th century, indicating something that diverges from the norm.
  • The suffix '-ness' turns why we describe something as being 'odd' into a state or quality.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people often feel uneasy when encountering strong oddness, as it challenges their understanding of routine.
  • Oddness can evoke mixed emotionsโ€”while it might be shocking, it can also stimulate curiosity and intrigue.
  • The brain might process odd information differently, affecting memory retention and emotional response.

Pop Culture

  • Films like 'Donnie Darko' explore themes of oddness and how it impacts perception of reality and time.
  • Musical artists like David Bowie and Lady Gaga utilize strange aesthetics to challenge interpersonal norms and expectations.
  • Comedy often leans into oddness, with shows like 'The Office' using quirky characters to create humor through unusual behaviors.

Literature

  • Literature often uses oddness to evoke themes of alienation, seen in works by authors like Franz Kafka.
  • The concept of oddness can be a powerful tool for creating conflict in storytelling, as characters navigate unusual situations.
  • Poetic forms, like Surrealism, embrace oddness to express deeper meanings beyond traditional logic.

Art

  • Artists like Salvador Dalรญ use oddness in their works to challenge viewersโ€™ perceptions and evoke thought.
  • The Dada movement celebrated oddness as a reaction against conventional art, focusing on absurdity and spontaneity.
  • Oddness can create a sense of wonder in art, inviting viewers to think outside the box and explore new interpretations.

Translations

Translations of the word "oddness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น estranheza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคœเฅ€เคฌเคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Seltsamkeit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ keanehan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะธะฒะฝั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dziwnoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฅ‡ๅฆ™ใ• (kimyล-sa)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท bizarrerie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ rareza

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gariplik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ด์ƒํ•จ (isangham)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบุฑุงุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podivnost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podivnosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฅ‡็‰น (qรญtรจ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nenavadnost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ undarleiki

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตั€ะตะบัˆะตะปั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒชแƒœแƒแƒฃแƒ แƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qษ™ribษ™lik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rareza

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,563, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.