English Reference
Adverb

unusually

adv. degree
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈjuˌʒuəɫi/ UK /ʌnjˈuːʒuːəli/ un·usu·al·ly

adv.in a way that is not normal or expected. You use this to highlight that something is different from how it usually is.

adv.to a degree or in a manner that is uncommon or remarkable. Often used to modify adjectives to indicate a deviation from the norm.


SIMPLE

The weather is unusually warm for this time of year.

CONTEXTUAL

The train station was unusually quiet on Monday morning, which made the commuters feel quite uneasy.

COMPLEX

Despite his reputation for being quite talkative, he remained unusually silent throughout the entire board meeting, leading many to suspect he was hiding something.

Usage

Typically placed before the adjective it modifies or at the end of a clause to describe a manner of action.

Usage unusually large · unusually high · unusually long

The fire follows weeks of unusually hot and dry weather.

BreakingNews.ie· 16 Aug 2026

After largely escaping the heat wave that blanketed much of Europe earlier this summer, Greece has been hit with several major wildfires since late July, fueled by unusually strong winds.

Phys.org· 16 Aug 2026

Common in science writing


From unusual + -ly or un- + usually.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated