# oddity

/ˈɑdəti/ (US) · /ˈɒdɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oddity
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

something that is strange, unusual, or different from what is normal. You use this to describe a person, object, or event that stands out because it is not common.

For teachers: a person, object, or event that is strange, unusual, or out of the ordinary. Often carries a slightly negative or curious tone depending on the context.

## Examples

- The museum displays a strange oddity from the deep sea.
- The old house was full of oddities, like a clock that never ticked and a mirror that showed nothing.
- While the artist's early works were conventional, his later pieces were celebrated for their eccentric oddities, which challenged the very definition of what a painting should be.

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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.