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

Or how many were turned off by the continuing drumbeat of Kennedy oddities. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

The oddities in the calendar will continue through 2025, impacting payments distributed in January, February, May and August. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

After years of various names, trademark infringement accusations and other manufacturing oddities, the Toyota Land Cruiser debuted in the United States in 1958. —James Raia, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024

The show has its annual examples of concepts, wannabe brands and bespoke oddities. —James Raia, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē 

plural oddities

1

: something odd

2

: the quality or state of being odd