ENGLISH
REFERENCE

oddly

adv.
US //ˈɑdɫi// UK //ˈɒdli// odd·ly
  1. 1 strangely (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    in a strange, unusual, or unexpected way.

    in a peculiar or eccentric manner that deviates from the expected norm.

    Example

    The cat was behaving oddly, staring at the empty corner for hours.

    Example

    Oddly enough, the witness remembered the colour of the suspect's shoes but could not describe his face with any certainty.

    Usage

    often used as a sentence adverb at the start of a clause to show the speaker's attitude.
  2. 2 math/numbers (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Math

    in a way that involves odd numbers like 1, 3, or 5.

    in a manner characterized by or relating to odd numbers; having a parity of one.

    Example

    The houses on this side of the street are numbered oddly.

    Example

    The algorithm ensures that the data packets are distributed oddly across the secondary servers to prevent a specific type of processing bottleneck.

    Usage

    rarely used outside of specific mathematical or technical contexts.
Origin

From Middle English oddely, odly, equivalent to odd + -ly.

Word family

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