oddity

noun

odd·​i·​ty ˈä-də-tē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
Synonyms of oddity
1
: an odd person, thing, event, or trait
2
: the quality or state of being odd

Synonyms of oddity

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Examples of oddity in a Sentence

Her shyness makes her a bit of an oddity in the business world. The zoo has such oddities as anteaters and platypuses.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Seeing a supermassive black hole up close is a spectacular, if unsettling, thought, but that’s not the only oddity to be seen from S301. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026 Here's why even more are ahead The moons range from planet-size Titan to smaller oddities, some of which are strangely shaped like potatoes or ravioli. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Once dismissed as an oddity in American bathrooms, the bidet is having a moment. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The fact that both races are on this year’s ballot is an oddity in itself. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oddity

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oddity was in 1713

Rhymes for oddity

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Browse Nearby Words

oddish
oddity
odd-job
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Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oddity. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oddity

noun
odd·​i·​ty ˈäd-ət-ē How to pronounce oddity (audio)
plural oddities
1
: something odd
2
: the quality or state of being odd
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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