# oddball

/ˈɑdˌbɔɫ/ (US) · /ˈɒdbɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oddball
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a person who is very different from others and often acts in a strange or unusual way. You use this to describe someone who is unique but might be a bit hard to understand.

For teachers: a person who is eccentric or unconventional in behaviour or appearance. Often carries a slightly informal or lighthearted tone when describing someone's idiosyncrasies.

## Examples

- He is a bit of an oddball, but he is very kind.
- The small town was full of oddballs who preferred living on the edge of the woods rather than in the main square.
- While his colleagues followed the standard protocol, he was a certified oddball who preferred to solve problems by playing chess with the janitor during lunch breaks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.