unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl 

-zhəl;

-ˈyüzh-wəl

: not usual : uncommon, rare

unusually adverb

unusualness noun

Synonyms

• curious
• extraordinary
• funny
• odd
• offbeat
• out-of-the-way
• peculiar
• queer
• rare
• singular
• strange
• unaccustomed
• uncommon
• uncustomary
• unique
• weird

Examples of unusual in a Sentence

It's not unusual for him to stay late at work.

a scene of unusual beauty

She has an unusual name.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

Instead of relying on old red flags like misspellings or poor grammar, employees should be trained to identify behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected requests for urgent financial transactions or unusual communication patterns. —Stephen Moore, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025

Separately, just days before the start date, Read made the unusual move of adding an alternate juror from her first trial to her legal team, according to media reports citing court records. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unusual

• cruel and unusual punishment

Rhymes for unusual

• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel

Kids Definition

unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyüzh-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈyü-zhəl

: not usual : uncommon, rare

unusually

-ē

adverb

unusualness noun