unusual Definition
un·usu·al (-yo̵̅o̅′z̸hə wəl)
adjective
not usual or common; rare; exceptional
unusual Related Forms
unusual Synonyms
unusual
modif.
Remarkable
rare, extraordinary, strange, outstanding, great, uncommon, special, distinguished, prominent, important, noteworthy, awe-inspiring, awesome, unique, fine, unheard of, unexpected, seldom met with, surprising, superior, astonishing, amazing, prodigious, incredible, inconceivable, atypical, conspicuous, exceptional, eminent, significant, memorable, renowned, refreshing, singular, fabulous, unprecedented, unparalleled, unexampled, unaccountable, stupendous, unaccustomed, wonderful, notable, superior, marvelous, striking, overpowering, electrifying, dazing, fantastic, startling, astounding, indescribable, appalling, stupefying, ineffable, sui generis (Latin), out of sight*. Antonyms
common*, familiar*, customary. * Different
unique, extreme, uncommon, particular, exaggerated, distinctive, choice, little-known, out of the ordinary, marked, forward, unconventional, radical, exceptional, peculiar, strange, foreign, outré, unnatural, puzzling, perplexing, confounding, disturbing, novel, advanced, startling, shocking, staggering, uncustomary, breaking with tradition, infrequent, mysterious, mystifying, surprising, extraordinary, unparalleled, deep, profound, aberrant, singular, unorthodox, uncomfortable, not to be expected, eccentric, unbalanced, unclassifiable, unprecedented, inconsistent, individual, original, refreshing, newfangled, new, modern, recent, late, fresh, curious, unfamiliar, irregular, odd, unaccountable, alien, queer, unwonted, off-the-wall*, quaint*, freakish*, bizarre*, farfetched*, neurotic*, exotic*, outlandish*, old-fashioned*, out of-the-way*, abnormal*, irrational*, monstrous*, anomalous*, fearful. *
unusual Usage Examples
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- notice: She had noticed nothing very unusual about her lately, but she appeared quiet.
- see: However, John saw nothing unusual about the aircraft until it had passed overhead and he caught a glimpse of the underside.
- seem: In terms of the motor theory there seems nothing so unusual in Japanese syntax as to call for explanation or modification.
Modifies a noun
- gift: GIFT IDEAS - Find Me a Gift offers great selection of unusual gifts for children.
- occurrence: My buggy was also annoyingly prone to breaking down, not an unusual occurrence by all reports.
- feature: Unusual features: A DATE routine must be added to the MANAGER program deck.
- circumstance: In unusual circumstances, the exams office may be able to implement arrangements with less than four weeks notice.
- combination: An unusual combination can be found this week on the new release of ' In The Air Tonight ' .
- sight: Allow plenty of time to wander through the streets, as you are bound to see some unusual sights here.
Modifying Another Word
- somewhat: Beside this spring there is one of considerable interest in the parish having a somewhat unusual dedication.
- rather: His switch was rather unusual: he took up dope farming.
- highly: The college is also highly unusual in having a fully equipped purpose-built theater.
- slightly: The site is designed as a resource for solicitors to use and a slightly unusual menu system is used on the site.
- quite: The genteel setting of a provincial tea room is quite unusual in his oeuvre.
- fairly: People really started hanging out with her, and it was a fairly unusual perspective for Nikki to see her mom in.
Infinitive complement
- find: Consequently it is not unusual to find yourself wanting to add a case or a variable in the middle of ones already created.
- see: Why was this unusual to see in the 1940's?
- hear: It is not unusual to hear noise coming from metal pipes on central heating systems.
Used with adjective complement
seem: Speaking to other birders on the trip this did not seem too unusual.
Preposition: in
respect: The market for scientific publications is unusual in several respects: Authors provide their articles to publishers for free.
Browse dictionary entries near unusual
- ‹ unused
- ‹ unununium
- ‹ ununnilium
- ‹ ununbium
- ‹ untwist
- ‹ untwine
- ‹ untutored
- ‹ untuck
- ‹ untruthfully
- ‹ untruthful
- unusually ›
- unutterable ›
- unvarnished ›
- unvarying ›
- unveil ›
- unveiling ›
- unverified ›
- unversed ›
- unvoice ›
- unvoiced ›

