oddity

noun

ˈä-də-tē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
Definition of odditynext
1
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit his one oddity is collecting used pencil leads

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2
as in rarity
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest years ago circus sideshows used to display people with unusual physical features as oddities

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3
as in anomaly
something that is different from what is ordinary or expected she is an oddity in that, unlike her sisters, she avoids social media

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4
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits an oddity with a penchant for weaving cat fur

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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 oddity Expand The winter weather of 2023-24 has been an oddity in every sense of the word. — Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 There is no indication about what resulted in the oddities in the poster, or if any jobs were replaced as a result of the posters, as some online presumed. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025 Not a dealbreaker, but another oddity in the contract construction of this roster, which leans away from team-friendly deals even on the least expensive contracts. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 Another oddity is that there is a speed demon of a galaxy that is barreling through another cluster of galaxies at 3.2 million km/h (2 million mph). — David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oddity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oddity
  1. trick
  2. rarity
  3. anomaly
  4. eccentric
  5. quirk
  6. exception
  7. character
  8. trait
Noun
  • This chip also drives many of the phone's artificial intelligence features, and allows the Pixel 9a to take advantage of all the same AI camera tricks introduced on the Pixel 9 smartphones in 2024.
    — Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This cat's trick shouldn't be too much of a surprise as many videos of felines opening doors have flooded social media in recent years.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • While most in the profession change jobs every few years for better opportunities and more pay, Olen is a rarity in a cutthroat, competitive industry.
    — Tim Casey, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The fan version of Rotom will also be a rarity because the Plasma Pokemon usually makes appearances during special events.
    — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • That data is then processed by algorithms that can analyze dialogue patterns, detect anomalies and systemically identify underlying drivers of communication trends.
    — Todd Fisher, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Each system gives Amazon the ability to monitor its facilities for anomalies in energy and water usage by using comparative data points.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • Rachel does a great job conveying such collective endeavors and group dreaming, the whole circumference of people who support bands: friends of friends, drop-of-a-hat designers, stopgap agents, stall owners, dealers, grandparents with record collections, eccentrics without portfolios.
    — Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Would love to know what these career eccentrics make of the pomp and pageantry of the Grammys.
    — August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of eccentric
Noun
  • Inheriting an existing team with its unique culture, history and quirks.
    — Tinna Jackson, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • David Lynch is probably the easiest to imitate director, with the most distinctive voice and identifiable quirks, outside of maybe Orson Welles.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of quirk
Noun
  • Today, economic uncertainty is a constant, not an exception.
    — Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The California Department of Human Resources recently released statewide guidance on exceptions to the return-to-work order.
    — William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of exception
Noun
  • That’s not to mention the sheer psychological toll that slipping through the timestream or reliving events can have on a character’s psyche.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Tartaglia voices multiple characters in the series.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of character
Noun
  • Indeed, many, but not all, social and behavioral traits work this way.
    — Dalton Conley, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Their goal is to build a comprehensive database that answers many questions about the behavioral and genetic traits of our friendly felines.
    — Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of trait

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Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddity. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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