odd penny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "odd penny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a peculiar or unusual coin, or metaphorically to describe something that is strange or unexpected in a financial context. Example: "I found an odd penny on the street, and it made me wonder about its history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Found that out when we made some comment about odd penny of change which led to finances.

The New Yorker

One's friends were so washed-out and so cautious, so canny about the odd penny, so eager to stay home in slippers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Sure, we'll be singing all night," he said with an odd emphasis, and the penny dropped: code.

The Guardian - Books

FOR years it has been the odd man out, the bad penny, a brutalized little 1830s brick house at 19 South William Street, plopped onto one of the most picturesque blocks downtown.

The New York Times

Bar the odd tone-deaf moment – a penny for St . Vincentor Sleater-Kinney's thoughts on topping a "Girls with Guitars" playlist – Apple's playlist curation is a strong point, although its rivals are far from the characterless utilities that Apple paints them as on this front.

The Guardian - Tech

A few pennies (and the odd public information campaign) are all it takes to motivate shoppers to bring reusable bags to the store.

Huffington Post

Hold a garage sale, do odd jobs in your time off, cash in your penny jar, and do anything else you can think of, so long as it's legal.

WikiHow

Odds are, your friends will stick with the $10 million sum over the penny that doubles in value every day.

WikiHow

"I plough every penny I make back into road racing," says Welshman Owen - house-husband, odd-job man and semi-professional road racer.

BBC

In "The Odd Couple," Oscar is a carefree, sloppy, fun-loving, louche spendthrift; Felix is a nervous, fastidious, compulsive, bourgeois penny-pincher.

The New Yorker

No penny.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "odd penny" to describe a person, emphasize that this person is an exception or outlier within a group.

Common error

Avoid using "odd penny" to describe large financial irregularities; instead, use it for small, unexpected discrepancies or unusual individual cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "odd penny" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "odd" modifies the noun "penny". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "odd penny" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to describe something peculiar related to a small amount of money or an actual penny. Ludwig AI validates its usability, and it primarily appears in news media. While synonyms like "strange coin" or "unusual cent" exist, "odd penny" maintains a distinct nuance. Be sure to use it for appropriately small discrepancies, and remember that it carries a neutral tone. This analysis, drawing on multiple sources and linguistic insights, offers a comprehensive understanding of "odd penny" and its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strange coin

Focuses on the unusual nature of the coin itself, rather than its financial implications.

unusual cent

Similar to "strange coin", but uses the specific denomination 'cent'.

peculiar coin

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and oddity of the coin.

rare penny

Highlights the scarcity or infrequency of finding such a penny.

unique penny

Focuses on the penny being one-of-a-kind.

curious penny

Implies that the penny evokes interest or investigation due to its unusual nature.

funny penny

Suggests the penny's oddity is amusing or comical.

awkward penny

Implies the penny creates an uncomfortable or difficult situation.

odd dollar

Similar in structure but involves a different monetary value.

odd shilling

Similar in structure and meaning but uses a different monetary unit.

FAQs

How can I use "odd penny" in a sentence?

You can use "odd penny" to describe something unusual in a financial context, as in, "There was an odd penny discrepancy in the final calculation" or to refer to an actual coin that is strange or unique.

What are some synonyms for "odd penny"?

Some synonyms include "strange coin", "unusual cent", or "peculiar coin". You can also use "rare penny" or "unique penny" depending on the specific context.

Is "odd penny" formal or informal?

The phrase "odd penny" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.

When should I use "odd penny" versus "odd dollar"?

Use "odd penny" when the amount in question is a single penny or a very small, insignificant amount. Use "odd dollar" when referring to a slightly larger, though still relatively small, discrepancy.