ODD Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'odd' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric , erratic , outlandish , peculiar , quaint , singular , strange , and unique . While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. // an odd sense of humor

Q: When can 'eccentric' be used instead of 'odd'?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. // the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Q: When would 'erratic' be a good substitute for 'odd'?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. // a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'outlandish' instead of 'odd'?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. // outlandish fashions of the time

Q: When is 'peculiar' a more appropriate choice than 'odd'?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd , peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. // the peculiar status of America's first lady

Q: When might 'quaint' be a better fit than 'odd'?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. // a quaint fishing village

Q: Where would 'singular' be a reasonable alternative to 'odd'?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. // a singular feeling of impending disaster

Q: In what contexts can 'strange' take the place of 'odd'?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. // a journey filled with strange sights

Q: When could 'unique' be used to replace 'odd'?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. // a career unique in the annals of science

odd

adjective

ˈäd

Definition of odd next

as in single

being one of a pair or set without a corresponding mate somehow, there's always at least one odd sock that comes out of the dryer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion odd behavior that prompted one of the waiting passengers to alert airport security

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unusual

being out of the ordinary the only odd grade for the exam was the one perfect score

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncommon

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced the odd occurrences in the area attracted the attention of people interested in psychic phenomena

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occasional

not often occurring or repeated with the exception of the odd sick day, he never takes time off from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word odd distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of odd are eccentric, erratic, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When can eccentric be used instead of odd?

The words eccentric and odd can be used in similar contexts, but eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

When would erratic be a good substitute for odd?

While the synonyms erratic and odd are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When is it sensible to use outlandish instead of odd?

In some situations, the words outlandish and odd are roughly equivalent. However, outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

When is peculiar a more appropriate choice than odd?

While in some cases nearly identical to odd, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When might quaint be a better fit than odd?

Although the words quaint and odd have much in common, quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

Where would singular be a reasonable alternative to odd?

The meanings of singular and odd largely overlap; however, singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

In what contexts can strange take the place of odd?

The words strange and odd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When could unique be used to replace odd?

The synonyms unique and odd are sometimes interchangeable, but unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of odd Some narratives suggested these odd flying objects were actually advanced military aircraft or possibly even signs of extraterrestrial life. —

Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025 Before intermission, in Dvorak’s Violin Concerto, Joshua Bell handled the solo part with his usual preternaturally smooth tone and his usual odd lack of surprise despite surface liveliness. —

Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 The discussion begins with Bob the Drag Queen throwing out Wells’s name on account of his odd behavior. —

Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 Plus, a discovery in the Sea of Sicily, an odd pick for director of the Walters in Baltimore, and the Met releases designs for a new contemporary wing. —

Brian T. Allen, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for odd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for odd

Adjective

Again, because all of these are estimates, a single score is less useful than tracking your score over time.

— Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
For example, all three major airports in the Washington, D.C. area saw records for the most firearms detected in a single year.

— Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025