unusual
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unusual
Explanation
Something unusual is uncommon. It's odd, weird, or out of the ordinary in some way. Unusual is the opposite of usual, thanks to the prefix un, meaning "not." Unusual things are noteworthy: you don't see them every day. A dog chasing a squirrel is usual. A squirrel chasing a dog would be unusual. Unusual can mean strange and bizarre, or just things that are rare. If someone is always absent, showing up would be unusual. Most surprising things are unusual.
Vocabulary lists containing unusual
List 7
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Strange
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
PARIS—While planning a visit to the City of Light, Rachel Torres got an unusual request.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Kao was an unusual figure among the company’s low-key naval engineers and boat aficionados.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
Joanne added that she struggled to get to work at about 07:50 on Monday as there were three cars waiting to turn onto the road from the A9, which is unusual.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Yellowstone experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, and swarms are not unusual.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
Her weight falls to a hundred pounds, which is unusual for her.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
