Unusual: meaning, definitions and examples

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unusual

 

[ ʌnˈjuːʒʊəl ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in a unique way

Not habitually or commonly occurring or done. Out of the ordinary.

Synonyms

peculiar, rare, uncommon

Examples of usage

  • Her unusual behavior raised some eyebrows at the party.
  • The painting had an unusual color palette that intrigued art enthusiasts.
Context #2 | Adjective

remarkable or exceptional

Remarkably good, exceptional, outstanding.

Synonyms

exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable

Examples of usage

  • She had an unusual talent for playing the piano.
  • The team showed unusual determination in achieving their goal.

Translations

Translations of the word "unusual" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incomum

🇮🇳 असामान्य

🇩🇪 ungewöhnlich

🇮🇩 tidak biasa

🇺🇦 незвичайний

🇵🇱 niezwykły

🇯🇵 珍しい (mezurashii)

🇫🇷 inhabituel

🇪🇸 inusual

🇹🇷 alışılmadık

🇰🇷 이상한 (isanghan)

🇸🇦 غير عادي

🇨🇿 neobvyklý

🇸🇰 nezvyčajný

🇨🇳 不寻常 (bù xún cháng)

🇸🇮 nenavaden

🇮🇸 óvenjulegur

🇰🇿 ерекше

🇬🇪 უჩვეულო

🇦🇿 qeyri-adi

🇲🇽 inusual

Etymology

The word 'unusual' originated from the combination of 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'usual' (meaning 'habitual or commonly occurring'). It has been in use since the late 16th century, evolving to describe things that are out of the ordinary or remarkable. Over the years, 'unusual' has become a widely recognized term to express uniqueness and exceptional qualities.

See also: unusually, unusualness, usually.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,505, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.