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

• trick
• quirk
• trait
• characteristic
• peculiarity
• idiosyncrasy
• mannerism
• eccentricity
• singularity

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

This is an oddity amid a warming climate, as the general pattern is that the world’s land areas are warming up more quickly than the oceans. —Chris Mooney, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2025

Americans live with many oddities in our political system. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025

Beyond the novelty, some of these oddities are surprisingly practical. —Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The oddity also moved the Phillies to 7-14 in games tied after six innings. —Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 22 July 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