noun
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oddity
O-dih-tee
Oddity (noun) means a strange or unusual thing, person, or detail. Example: “The two-headed calf was the fairground's star oddity.”
noun
1
A strange or unusual thing, person, or detail.
"An Avonside 0-4-4T with outside cylinders, bought by the S.M.A. in 1882 and scrapped in 1892 as a dismal failure, was one of the motive power oddities (some of them mortgaged)."
— , Talking of Trains: Last of the M.S.W.J.R (1961)
"The two-headed calf was the fairground's star oddity."
"Among the antiques was one genuine oddity: a clock with no hands."
How to use oddity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that stands out for being strange or unusual.
Common pairings
a genuine oddity
a curious oddity
statistical oddity
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Word forms
- Plural
- oddities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two-headed calf was the fairground's star _____.
Etymology
Built from "odd" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ity", on the same pattern as "rarity" from "rare".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for oddity
See all rhymes for oddity →Frequently asked questions
What does “oddity” mean?
The word “oddity” means a strange or unusual thing, person, or detail. In plain terms, something that stands out for being strange or unusual.
How do you pronounce “oddity”?
“Oddity” is pronounced O-dih-tee (/ˈɑdɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “oddity” in a sentence?
Here is “oddity” used in a sentence: “The two-headed calf was the fairground's star oddity.”
What part of speech is “oddity”?
“Oddity” is a noun.
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