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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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unusual

Used to describe something that is not commonly seen or done. It doesn't necessarily imply something strange, but just not typical.

  • It's unusual to see snow in this region during the summer.
  • Her hobby of collecting stamps from every country is quite unusual.
rare

Describes something that is infrequent, scarce or not found in large numbers. It often implies a sense of value or importance due to its scarcity.

  • It's rare to find such a well-preserved fossil.
  • He has a rare collection of first-edition books.
uncommon

Refers to something that is not frequently encountered or doesn't happen often. It's similar to 'unusual' but may not carry the same sense of surprise or oddity.

  • It's uncommon to see students working so diligently on a Friday night.
  • While it's uncommon, some people do have the ability to taste certain colors.
peculiar

Used when something is strange or odd in a noticeable way. It often has a connotation of something being slightly off or not quite right.

  • There is a peculiar smell coming from the basement.
  • His peculiar behavior raised a lot of questions.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unusual

Used to describe something that is not common or ordinary. It can refer to anything that stands out or feels different from the norm.

  • It's very unusual to see snow in this region during summer
  • The artist has an unusual style that intrigues many collectors
extraordinary

Used to describe something that is incredibly impressive or beyond what is normal and expected. Often implies a sense of surprise or admiration.

  • His performance in the movie was extraordinary
  • The courage she showed was truly extraordinary
exceptional

Used to refer to something that is much better than average, often implying a high level of skill or quality.

  • She has shown exceptional talent in her music
  • The customer service at this hotel is exceptional
remarkable

Used when something is worth noting or commenting on due to its impressive or unusual nature. It can be either good or bad.

  • Her recovery after the accident was remarkable
  • It's remarkable how quickly the technology has evolved

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.