oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē 

plural oddities

1

: an odd person, thing, event, or trait

2

: the quality or state of being odd

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• mannerism
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

Examples of oddity in a Sentence

Her shyness makes her a bit of an oddity in the business world.

The zoo has such oddities as anteaters and platypuses.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the researchers, both of these oddities could be explained, however, if the Milky Way once had a second, intermediate-sized, black hole at its heart—one that has long since been subsumed into Sgr A*. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Known for being one of the largest outdoor markets in Texas, with 490 booths spread across 20 acres, this event is a trove of antiques, locally made products, and all manner of funky oddities. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025

The work’s mannerist formality is subverted by a haunting presence and an oddity that edges into the surreal. —Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

The mismatch stems from one of the many oddities of the budget reconciliation process. —Matthew Yglesias, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oddity

• commodity

Kids Definition

oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē 

plural oddities

1

: something odd

2

: the quality or state of being odd