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 The soundtrack is iconic, the gameplay is fluid and responsive and rewards skilled players, and there were so many secrets to be found that Easter egg hunters are still discovering bits, pieces, and oddities to this day. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Mize’s situation also highlights all the oddities surrounding the Tigers’ trade-deadline dilemma. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 July 2026 But like so many beloved genre oddities, that next chapter never materialized. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026 Soft serve is a particular strength here, and devotees know to ask for the coffee–black raspberry twist, a Massachusetts oddity found at only a handful of parlors around the state. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 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
  • Then, use one of these simple tricks to remove leftover wax and scrub soot away with warm water, soap, and a brush when you’re done.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Though the trick watch that recorded Sang-gil’s incriminating meeting with the mayor has been destroyed, Eun-sae backed up the footage.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Race contestants could buy gas at a now-enviable 15 cents a gallon, but filling stations were a rarity.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Improv was encouraged by Park, a rarity for a show like Sterling Point.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • Agencies are moving fast toward letting AI agents query government data directly; not just render dashboards for humans to read, but retrieve records, summarize case files and flag anomalies on their own.
    — Gopichand Mannava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Pettigrew said the object came into view in April 2015 and resembles an anomaly seen in photographs taken in the months and years after Earhart's disappearance.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Noun
  • In terms of clubs listening to supporters, Lincoln City, newly promoted to the Championship, deserve a pat on the back for restoring a unique quirk to a matchday at what fans know as Sincil Bank.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • However, the decline is largely an artifact of a quirk in how mortgage loans were recorded during the quarter, researchers noted.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of quirk
Noun
  • The Constitution protects defendants from being prosecuted for the same crime twice, but Mangione's dueling state and federal cases fall into one of the exceptions for double jeopardy.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Primary history The mid-August primaries have a long history of lackluster turnout – with one major exception.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • What sprang up there was this soulless bowl, totally lacking in the character and atmosphere of the club’s old Elm Park home.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • My issue isn’t with the fact the show is suddenly adding characters who aren’t in the book but with the whiplash from the dramatic vibe shift.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of character
Noun
  • The truth is my friend has some very unsavory traits that make people want to tell him no.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Each zodiac sign is linked to a birthstone that is believed to amplify certain personality traits or energies.
    — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of trait

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oddities
oddity
oddly
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Cite this Entry

“Oddity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oddity. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of oddity for Spanish Speakers

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