offbeat

American  

[awf-beet, of-, awf-beet, of-] / ˈɔfˈbit, ˈɒf-, ˈɔfˌbit, ˈɒf- /

adjective

1. differing from the usual or expected; unconventional.

   an offbeat comedian.

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noun

1. Music.  an unaccented beat of a measure.

offbeat British  

/ ˈɒfˌbiːt /

noun

1. music any of the normally unaccented beats in a bar, such as the second and fourth beats in a bar of four-four time. They are stressed in most rock and some jazz and dance music, such as the bossa nova

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adjective

1. 1. unusual, unconventional, or eccentric

   2. ( as noun )

      he liked the offbeat in fashion

Etymology

Origin of offbeat

First recorded in 1925–30; off + beat

Example Sentences

The vibrant and offbeat expression on display in the city was eye-opening.

From The Wall Street Journal

A key hallmark of Murphy’s status is his voluminous gallery of offbeat characters — an impeccably attired prison convict, a clumsy professor, a wisecracking donkey, an elderly Jewish man and even an obese, abusive wife.

From Los Angeles Times

She is going to miss something a little offbeat when she lands in the jungle.

From BBC

Sam Quinones celebrates this ungainly instrument and its players in “The Perfect Tuba,” a delightfully offbeat book with unexpectedly profound overtones.

From The Wall Street Journal

Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bizarre
• eccentric
• idiosyncratic
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• unusual
• weird