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

Other Word Forms

• unusually adverb
• unusualness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unusual¹

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

Example Sentences

Widely used blood tests may reveal unusual immune activity but often fail to pinpoint the exact problem.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Such a scene might not seem unusual for a Friday night on a cruise ship, but this wasn’t a typical sailing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But this is a more unusual case of a local government changing the code not to ratchet up safety measures or energy efficiency requirements, but in order to lower costs and promote development.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

How do Epstein’s actions fit into the paradigm of trafficking – is he a classic case or an unusual one?

Read more on Salon

The team describes this unusual state as "highly energetic."

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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