Strangeness: meaning, definitions and examples

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strangeness

 

[ ˈstreɪndʒnəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling of being different or unusual

Strangeness is the quality or state of being strange, unusual, or unfamiliar. It is the feeling of being different from what is considered normal or expected.

Synonyms

oddity, peculiarity, unusualness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
strangeness

Mentioned twice, same as above.

oddity

Refers to something or someone that is unusual and interesting in a quirky or curious way.

  • The museum had an entire section dedicated to oddities from around the world.
  • Her eccentric fashion choices are just one of her many oddities.
peculiarity

Describes a distinct feature or behavior that stands out because it is uncommon or specific to a person or thing.

  • One of the peculiarities of the region is its unique dialect.
  • His inability to remember names was a peculiarity that often puzzled his friends.
unusualness

Used to express that something is not common, often implying it is worth noting because it stands out.

  • The unusualness of the artifact caught the attention of the archaeologists.
  • She commented on the unusualness of the weather for that time of year.

Examples of usage

  • Her behavior had a certain strangeness about it.
  • The strangeness of the situation left him feeling uneasy.
  • The strangeness of the foreign city made her feel like an outsider.
Context #2 | Noun

quality of being difficult to understand

Strangeness can also refer to the quality of being difficult to understand or explain. It is the state of being mysterious or enigmatic.

Synonyms

enigma, mystery, puzzle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
strangeness

Used to describe something or someone that is unusual, unfamiliar, or odd in a more general or abstract sense.

  • The strangeness of the situation made everyone uncomfortable.
  • There is a certain strangeness to the way he talks.
mystery

Describes something that is not known or understood and typically evokes curiosity. Can be used in both serious and lighthearted contexts.

  • The mystery of the locked room baffled the detectives.
  • Her sudden disappearance remains a mystery.
enigma

Refers to something or someone that is mysterious and difficult to understand or explain. Often used in a more profound and serious context.

  • The enigma of the missing manuscript has puzzled scholars for years.
  • Her enigmatic smile made him curious.
puzzle

Usually describes a problem that is difficult to understand or solve, often suggesting that it can be figured out with effort. Can be used in both literal and metaphorical senses.

  • The crossword puzzle entertained him for hours.
  • The coding error was a puzzle that took the team several days to solve.

Examples of usage

  • The strangeness of quantum physics perplexes even the most brilliant minds.
  • The strangeness of his sudden disappearance baffled investigators.

Translations

Translations of the word "strangeness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estranheza

🇮🇳 अजीबता

🇩🇪 Seltsamkeit

🇮🇩 keanehan

🇺🇦 дивина

🇵🇱 dziwność

🇯🇵 奇妙さ (kimyō-sa)

🇫🇷 étrangeté

🇪🇸 extrañeza

🇹🇷 gariplik

🇰🇷 이상함 (isangham)

🇸🇦 غرابة (ghuraba)

🇨🇿 podivnost

🇸🇰 podivnosť

🇨🇳 奇怪 (qíguài)

🇸🇮 čudnost

🇮🇸 undar (undarlegheit)

🇰🇿 ерекшелік

🇬🇪 უცნაურობა (utsnauroba)

🇦🇿 qəribəlik

🇲🇽 extrañeza

Etymology

The word 'strangeness' originated from the Middle English word 'strange,' which came from the Old French word 'estrangier' meaning 'foreign' or 'alien.' The concept of strangeness has been a part of human experience since ancient times, with various cultures attributing different meanings to the state of being strange or unusual.

See also: strangely, stranger.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,799, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.