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

There has also been some data analysis of voter registration stats showing Republicans leaving the party in unusual numbers.

From FiveThirtyEight

Perched on each of these unusual, mellow forms is a transparent sculpture of a small bird, made from 3-D printed resin and cut into solids and hollows that serve as perches or baths for actual birds.

From Washington Post

You took sort of an unusual path to becoming the president of digital.

From Digiday

It may be difficult to definitively prove the genome is gone, he says, especially if the chloroplast is “unusual in its structure or abundance” and therefore difficult to identify.

From Science News

Bellows told Chastain’s attorney and Descano’s office to provide legal briefs on whether he could dismiss the case under the unusual circumstances.

From Washington Post

Each individual race involves an unusual collaboration between researchers, manufacturers, and public-health entities.

From The Daily Beast

So, in an unusual order (PDF) issued on New Years Day, District Judge Robert Hinkle clarified the issue.

From The Daily Beast

The weather on the route of AirAsia Flight 8501 was not unusual for the region and the season.

From The Daily Beast

It is an unusual kind of patriotism in the name of national security.

From The Daily Beast

One morning at about eleven, he announces his intention as though it's truly an unusual thought: “Let's have a little drink.”

From The Daily Beast

So it came to pass that another change came into his life, hence another epoch in the unusual life was his.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a notable fact that under the wholly unusual circumstances prevailing, the recovery was so prompt and effective.

From Project Gutenberg

Certainly captain Merveilles and his people showed unusual piety.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not appear conscious that she had done anything unusual in commanding his presence.

From Project Gutenberg

The weapons, the most unusual weapons, we are reluctantly compelled to accept under protest.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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