unusual

adjective

un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyü-zhə-wəl How to pronounce unusual (audio)
-zhəl;
-ˈyüzh-wəl
Synonyms of unusualnext
: not usual: as
a
: not normal or typical
It's unusual for him to work this late.
b
: different or strange in a way that attracts attention
an unusual design
c
: uncommon, rare
saw an unusual flower while hiking
d
: extraordinary sense 1, remarkable
a scholar of unusual ability
unusually adverb
unusualness noun

Synonyms of unusual

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Examples of unusual in a Sentence

It's not unusual for him to stay late at work. a scene of unusual beauty She has an unusual name.
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.
The case is unusual in that public controversies over data usually involve consumers, Mayu Tobin-Miyaji, an attorney with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told the Miami Herald. — Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 The National Hurricane Center warned that Rachel could pick up some strength before arriving on the West Coast — an unusual occurrence for storms in the tropical eastern Pacific. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Atomic hydrogen’s unusual reactivity could potentially be useful in other areas of organic chemistry and, over the longer term, biological sciences. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 But looking closer, across the genome, something unusual showed up. — New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unusual

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unusual was in 1579

Phrases Containing unusual

Rhymes for unusual

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Browse Nearby Words

unusefulness
unusual
unusuality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unusual. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unusual

adjective
un·​usu·​al ˌən-ˈyüzh-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce unusual (audio)
-ˈyü-zhəl
: not usual : uncommon, rare
unusually
-ē
adverb
unusualness noun
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