oddity

[ od-i-tee ]

noun

, plural odd·i·ties

1. an odd or remarkably unusual person, thing, or event.

   Synonyms: wonder, curiosity, rarity

2. the quality of being odd; singularity, strangeness, or eccentricity.
3. an odd characteristic or trait; peculiarity.

oddity

/ ˈɒdɪtɪ /

noun

1. an odd person or thing
2. an odd quality or characteristic
3. the condition of being odd

Word History and Origins

Origin of oddity¹

First recorded in 1705–15; odd + -ity

Example Sentences

This could all end with the Senate nominally preserving its institutional power by rubber-stamping Trump’s Cabinet of oddities.

From Salon

Rows of workers inspect the envelopes for any damage or oddities before they wind their way through a multi-step process that includes a ballot count, a signature check and removing the ballot from the envelope.

From Los Angeles Times

Solvang, the vestige of a Danish settlement once regarded as something of an oddity of the Central Valley, now has lines out the door of every restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times

Wednesday inherits her mother’s flair for the macabre, and the family’s power grows as each member embraces the oddities passed down to them.

From Salon

Rather than being comforted, Belinda is thrust into a religious confrontation with Solange and her prayer group, along with the home being completely redecorated with antique oddities and sacred imagery.

From Salon

Related Words

• abnormality
• anomaly
• characteristic
• curiosity
• idiosyncrasy
• incongruity
• irregularity
• peculiarity
• phenomenon
• quirk
• rarity