# offbeat

/ˈɔfˈbit/ (US) · /ˈɒfbiːt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

a person who is not part of the main group or who has a very different style. It is often used to describe someone who is a bit strange or doesn't follow the usual rules.

For teachers: a person who is not part of the mainstream or who deviates from the norm. Often carries a slightly informal or slightly critical tone, implying that the individual is eccentric or unconventional.

## Examples

- He is a bit of an offbeat character who lives alone in the woods.
- The festival attracts a lot of offbeats who prefer experimental music over mainstream pop.
- While the rest of the neighborhood followed the standard architectural guidelines, the offbeats in the area preferred to live in converted warehouses and shipping containers.

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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.