Strange: meaning, definitions and examples

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strange

[streɪndʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or causing surprise or wonder

Unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand. Strange can also refer to something that is not familiar or expected.

Synonyms

odd, peculiar, unusual, weird.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
strange	Use when something is unfamiliar or difficult to understand, often surprising. It's strange that he didn't show up for the meeting The house had a strange atmosphere at night
unusual	Refers to something that is not common or happens infrequently; generally neutral in tone. It's unusual to see snow in this part of the country He has an unusual talent for juggling
odd	Used for things that deviate slightly from normal behavior or appearance; often minor or harmless quirks. That's an odd way to solve the problem He has some odd habits, like talking to himself
weird	Implies something is very strange and often unsettling or creepy, generally with a negative connotation. That movie was really weird and hard to understand The way he looked at me was kind of weird
peculiar	Describes something that is unusually different and often unique to a specific situation or person. She had a peculiar accent that I couldn't place There's a peculiar smell in this room

Examples of usage

It was strange to see a cat chasing a dog.
She had a strange feeling that she was being watched.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

not previously visited, seen, or encountered; unfamiliar or alien

Something that is unfamiliar or unknown, often causing a feeling of discomfort or unease. It can also refer to a place or situation that is new or different.

Synonyms

alien, exotic, foreign, unfamiliar.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
strange	Use when describing something or someone that is unusual or hard to understand. It feels strange to be in a new city That was a strange thing to say
foreign	Suitable for referring to something or someone from another country or something unfamiliar. I’m studying several foreign languages His accent is foreign
alien	Often used to describe something or someone from another world or completely different from what is known. The concept seemed alien to me Aliens from another planet are a common theme in movies
unfamiliar	Good for situations where you want to express that something or someone is not known or recognized. I felt uncomfortable in the unfamiliar surroundings The word was unfamiliar to most people
exotic	Best used when describing something that is attractively unusual or strikingly different, often related to culture, food, or places. She wore an exotic dress from India The restaurant serves exotic dishes from around the world

Examples of usage

The forest had a strange, eerie atmosphere.
He found himself in a strange city with no idea how he got there.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'externus,' meaning 'outer' or 'foreign,' suggesting something unfamiliar.
In Middle English, 'strange' referred to people or things from outside one's community or nation.
Over time, the meaning shifted to include anything that feels odd or not typical.

Pop Culture

Strange characters often appear in movies and books, like the 'Strange' in Marvel Comics, known for his magical powers.
The TV series 'Stranger Things' has popularized the concept of the 'strange' with its odd occurrences in a small town.
Strange music genres, like avant-garde, challenge listener expectations and norms, turning traditional ideas upside down.

Psychology

Humans often have a natural discomfort with the strange, a phenomenon known as the 'uncanny valley,' which describes how we react to humanoid robots.
Studies show that encounters with the strange can trigger curiosity and creative thinking, pushing people to explore new ideas.
The ‘strange attractor’ in chaos theory brings a scientific perspective to how irregular patterns emerge in complex systems.

Literature

Many classic novels feature strange characters who serve as symbols of deeper societal issues, like the alienation seen in Kafka's works.
The term is often used in surrealist literature, emphasizing the bizarre and fantastical elements that challenge reality.
Poets like Emily Dickinson utilize the idea of the strange to explore themes of isolation and identity.

Cultural Significance

The appreciation of the strange is often seen in art movements like surrealism and dada, which focused on disorienting realities.
Strange foods, such as insects or exotic fruits, represent culinary trends that challenge conventional eating norms.
Cultural festivals often celebrate the strange, showcasing unique customs, from quirky parades to unusual art installations.

Translations

Translations of the word "strange" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estranho

🇮🇳 अजीब

🇩🇪 seltsam

🇮🇩 aneh

🇺🇦 дивний

🇵🇱 dziwny

🇯🇵 奇妙な

🇫🇷 étrange

🇪🇸 extraño

🇹🇷 garip

🇰🇷 이상한

🇸🇦 غريب

🇨🇿 podivný

🇸🇰 čudný

🇨🇳 奇怪的

🇸🇮 čuden

🇮🇸 undarlegur

🇰🇿 біртүрлі

🇬🇪 უცნაური

🇦🇿 qəribə

🇲🇽 extraño

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,038, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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