unusual

[ uhn-yoo-zhoo-uhl, -yoozh-wuhl ]

adjective

1. not usual, common, or ordinary; uncommon in amount or degree; exceptional:

   an unusual sound; an unusual hobby; an unusual response.

   Synonyms: odd, queer, curious, singular, strange, rare, remarkable, extraordinary

unusual

/ ʌnˈjuːʒʊəl /

adjective

1. out of the ordinary; uncommon; extraordinary

   an unusual design

Derived Forms

• unˈusualness, noun
• unˈusually, adverb

Other Words From

• un·usu·al·ly adverb
• un·usu·al·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unusual¹

First recorded in 1575–85; un- ¹ + usual

Example Sentences

Trump's unusual transition is rooted deep in his distrust of the current government, which he blames for leveling criminal charges against him, sources close to Trump’s transition team told The Post.

From Salon

Typical psychotic-like experiences include perceptual distortions and hallucinations, suspicious paranoid thinking, delusions and bizarre, unusual thoughts.

From Science Daily

You need serious flowers — distinctive, unusual and befitting a special occasion.

From Los Angeles Times

The new study is unusual in that it calculated the mass of microplastics in landfill leachate and wastewater influent and effluent.

From Science Daily

These weather events are not unusual for this time of year.

From BBC

Related Words

• amazing
• astonishing
• awesome
• bizarre
• curious
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• incredible
• memorable
• noteworthy
• odd
• phenomenal
• rare
• remarkable
• significant
• singular
• special
• strange
• surprising
• uncommon