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unusual definition

un·usu·al (-yo̵̅o̅′z̸hə wəl)

adjective

not usual or common; rare; exceptional

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unusual Synonyms

unusual

modif.

  1. 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. *

  2. 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. *

    Antonyms common*, ordinary*, normal.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

unusual Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • notice: She had noticed nothing very unusual about her lately, but she appeared quiet.

Modifies a noun

  • gift: GIFT IDEAS - Find Me a Gift offers great selection of unusual gifts for children.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: Beside this spring there is one of considerable interest in the parish having a somewhat unusual dedication.

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.

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.
unusual usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

unusual quotes

   We donot expect peopletobe deeply moved by what is not unusual. That element of tragedy which lies in the very fact of frequency, has not yet wrought itself into the coarse emotion of mankind.

-Eliot, George pseudonym of  MaryAnn Evans

unusual quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"unusual." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/unusual>

APA Style

unusual. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/unusual

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