odd

¹

[ od ]

adjective

, odd·er, odd·est.

1. differing in nature from what is ordinary, usual, or expected:

   His ice cream had an odd choice of topping combinations.

   Synonyms: uncommon, rare, unusual, extraordinary

   Antonyms: common, usual, ordinary

2. singular or peculiar in a strange or eccentric way:

   She can be an odd person sometimes.

   The group were known for their odd manners.

3. fantastic; bizarre:

   Her taste in clothing was rather odd.

4. (of a number) leaving a remainder of 1 when divided by 2 ( even ):

   The numbers 3, 15, and 181 are odd.

5. more or less, especially a little more (used in combination with a round number):

   I owe three hundred-odd dollars.

6. being a small amount in addition to what is counted or specified:

   I have five gross and a few odd dozens.

7. being part of a pair, set, or series of which the rest is lacking:

   I found an odd glove in the back of the drawer.

8. remaining after all others are paired, grouped, or divided into equal numbers or parts:

   Everybody gets two hamburgers and I get the odd one.

9. left over after all others are used, consumed, etc.:

   After we finished the jigsaw puzzle, there was one odd piece that didn't seem to fit anywhere.

10. (of a pair) not matching:

    Do you know you're wearing an odd pair of socks?

11. not forming part of any particular group, set, or class:

    He tends to pick up odd bits of information that can be useful in unexpected situations.

12. happening, coming, found, etc., irregularly or only now and then; occasional:

    She saved up money doing odd jobs over the summer break.

    We didn’t see any interesting birds other than the odd hawk.

13. out-of-the-way; secluded:

    We took a tour to the odd parts of the country.

14. Mathematics. (of a function) having a sign that changes when the sign of each independent variable is changed at the same time.

noun

1. something that is odd.
2. Golf.
   1. a stroke more than the opponent has played.
   2. British. a stroke taken from a player's total score for a hole in order to give them odds.

ODD

²

[ oh-dee-dee ]

abbreviation for

1. oppositional defiant disorder: a behavioral disorder characterized by habitual aggression and hostility, resistance to authority, outbursts of rage, etc., that interfere with normal functioning and relationships.

odd

/ ɒd /

adjective

1. unusual or peculiar in appearance, character, etc
2. occasional, incidental, or random

   odd jobs

3. leftover or additional

   odd bits of wool

4. 1. not divisible by two
   2. represented or indicated by a number that is not divisible by two Compare even 1

      graphs are on odd pages

5. being part of a matched pair or set when the other or others are missing

   an odd sock

   odd volumes

6. in combination used to designate an indefinite quantity more than the quantity specified in round numbers

   fifty-odd pounds

7. out-of-the-way or secluded

   odd corners

8. maths (of a function) changing sign but not absolute value when the sign of the independent variable is changed, as in y=x³ See even 1
9. odd man out
   a person or thing excluded from others forming a group, unit, etc

noun

1. golf
   1. one stroke more than the score of one's opponent
   2. an advantage or handicap of one stroke added to or taken away from a player's score
2. a thing or person that is odd in sequence or number

odd

/ ŏd /

1. Divisible by 2 with a remainder of 1, such as 17 or −103.

Derived Forms

• ˈoddness, noun
• ˈoddly, adverb

Other Words From

• odd·ly adverb
• odd·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of odd¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English odde, from Old Norse oddi “odd (number)”

Origin of odd²

First recorded in 1980, in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Word History and Origins

Origin of odd¹

C14: odde: from Old Norse oddi point, angle, triangle, third or odd number. Compare Old Norse oddr point, spot, place; Old English ord point, beginning

Synonym Study

See strange.

Example Sentences

As for whether seats should be decided on talent alone, it has always been the case in F1 that there is the odd driver who owes his seat at least partly to the funding he brings with him.

From BBC

Regardless, for many workers who take odd jobs under the table or use a false Social Security number to work, a temporary job permit can mean better pay and at least temporary reprieve from the fear of being deported.

From Los Angeles Times

"On mainland Scotland people think that's quite odd, but it's a normal thing across continental Europe."

From BBC

One chilly afternoon in November 1941, Ann White found an odd letter in her mailbox from an astronomy professor who wanted to meet.

From National Geographic Kids

While the victims include Hindu families, critics say the action is mostly targeted at India's 200 million odd Muslims, especially after religious violence or protests - a charge the BJP denies.

From BBC

Related Words

• different
• miscellaneous
• unusual