Unusualness: meaning, definitions and examples

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unusualness

[ʌnˈjuːʒʊəlnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in behavior

The quality of being unusual or uncommon; the state of not conforming to the typical or expected patterns of behavior.

Synonyms

peculiarity, rarity, singularity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unusualness	Employed to highlight the fact that something does not conform to common experiences or expectations. The unusualness of his proposal made the board members curious but hesitant
rarity	Often used in contexts where something is very uncommon or difficult to find, usually implying a sense of value or special significance. Seeing a blue moon is a rarity that only happens once every few years
peculiarity	Best applied when pointing out specific, distinctive, or quirky characteristics of something or someone. It may carry a slightly negative or odd connotation. One peculiarity of his writing style is his frequent use of archaic words
singularity	Used when emphasizing the unique or one-of-a-kind nature of something. It can sometimes imply something that is remarkably different in a notable way. Her artistic style has a singularity that captivates everyone who sees it

Examples of usage

She stood out from the crowd because of her unusualness.
His unusualness made him the center of attention at the party.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in appearance

The state of being strikingly different from what is ordinary or usual in appearance.

Synonyms

distinctiveness, eccentricity, peculiarity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unusualness	Used to describe something that is not common or usual. It does not inherently carry a positive or negative connotation. The unusualness of the weather this summer has surprised everyone. She was recognized for the unusualness of her art style.
distinctiveness	Often used in a context where the unique characteristics of something make it stand out in a positive way. The distinctiveness of his voice made him an excellent radio presenter. Her dress had a distinctiveness that caught everyone's eye.
peculiarity	Used to describe something that is strange or peculiar, often with a slightly negative or critical connotation. The peculiarity of the old house gave it an eerie atmosphere. There was a peculiarity in his speech that made it hard to understand him.
eccentricity	Typically used to describe unconventional or odd behavior, often in a slightly negative or humorous manner. His eccentricity made him a fascinating, albeit odd, dinner guest. The artist's eccentricity is reflected in his wildly imaginative paintings.

Examples of usage

The unusualness of her outfit caught everyone's eye.
The garden's unusualness was due to the unique combination of flowers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word combines the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' with 'usual', which comes from the Latin 'usuālis', meaning 'customary' or 'habitual'.
The term has been in usage since at least the late 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in things that deviate from the norm.

Psychology

Humans often find unusual experiences more memorable due to the way our brains process novelty.
Studies show that encountering unusualness can stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Cultural Perspectives

In many cultures, what is considered unusual varies widely; for example, food customs can seem strange to outsiders.
Some art movements, like surrealism, celebrate unusualness and encourage breaking from traditional representations.

Pop Culture

Many iconic films and books, like 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green', explore themes of unusualness, celebrating characters who defy societal norms.
Television shows often feature unusualness as a plot element to inject humor or conflict, such as in sitcoms where characters face bizarre circumstances.

Natural World

Nature showcases unusualness through rare species and peculiar behaviors, like the axolotl, which can regenerate its limbs.
Unusual weather patterns, such as a snowstorm in the desert, often capture public attention due to their rarity.

Translations

Translations of the word "unusualness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inusualidade

🇮🇳 असामान्यता

🇩🇪 Ungewöhnlichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakbiasaan

🇺🇦 незвичність

🇵🇱 niezwykłość

🇯🇵 異常さ (いじょうさ)

🇫🇷 inconvenance

🇪🇸 rareza

🇹🇷 alışılmamışlık

🇰🇷 비정상

🇸🇦 غرابة

🇨🇿 neobvyklost

🇸🇰 neobvyklosť

🇨🇳 不寻常性 (bù xúncháng xìng)

🇸🇮 nenavadnost

🇮🇸 óvenjuleiki

🇰🇿 ерекшелік

🇬🇪 უცნაურობა

🇦🇿 qeyri-adilik

🇲🇽 rareza