unusual

USAGE SUMMARY

'unusual' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to convey that something is strange and not typical, or out of the ordinary. For example, "The unusual color of the sky tonight made for an interesting sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But is that because it is so unusual in a woman?

The Guardian

What was unusual was that I wanted a menswear skirt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

France have tailored their training regime accordingly ever since their place in the last 16 was secured, with Deschamps describing a 1pm start as "unusual" and expecting the heat to have an impact on the pace of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps the most unusual is wolfsbane, which we found growing among the alders.

The Guardian

Related: Republican elite swarm New Hampshire as host of 2016 hopefuls take the stage The full-to-bursting roster of Republican presidential aspirants expanded again over the weekend after John Kasich, the governor of the crucial swing-state of Ohio, laid the groundwork for a run on the White House with an unusual attack on Wall Street.

The Guardian

The centre of the compact walled town is full of gorgeous boutiques and unusual jewellery stores (in case gifts are in order), pretty cafes with flower-filled gardens (should the Mediterranean sun make an appearance) and tiny bars with plenty of private nooks and crannies.

The Guardian - Travel

Last year's verdict was already unusual because the sentence was much tougher than the suspended prison term sought by prosecutors.

The Guardian

I thought it was freaky, what I saw was totally unusual.

The Guardian - Sport

It took the unusual step of confirming the private medical visit following the flurry of speculation on social media about her health.

The Guardian

The Huangs have maintained their innocence and say their daughter suffered from medical problems complicated by unusual eating habits that included periods of binging and self-starvation.

The Guardian

Supt Treble said Field's past pattern of offending was unusual in that he had been prepared to take on two victims at once when he tried to snatch the two teenage boys in 1984.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or situations, use "unusual" to highlight aspects that deviate from typical expectations. It adds emphasis and captures attention, making your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "unusual" to describe everyday occurrences that are only slightly different. Reserve it for situations that genuinely stand out as atypical to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "unusual" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are not typical or ordinary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something that deviates from the norm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusual" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that deviates from the norm. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and serves to emphasize distinctiveness or rarity. Predominantly found in News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle contexts, "unusual" maintains a neutral register. While the phrase is very common, it's important to avoid overuse in mundane situations to preserve its impact. Semantically related alternatives include "out of the ordinary", "atypical", and "anomalous", offering various shades of meaning. When using "unusual", ensure it aptly captures the exceptional nature of the subject being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the deviation from the typical or expected.

atypical

Highlights the non-conforming nature of something.

anomalous

Indicates a deviation from what is standard, normal, or expected.

deviant

Suggests a departure from accepted standards or norms.

irregular

Focuses on the lack of uniformity or consistency.

exceptional

Suggests a high degree of deviation, often implying superiority or rarity.

remarkable

Highlights the quality of being worthy of attention or notice due to its distinctiveness.

singular

Emphasizes the uniqueness or one-of-a-kind nature.

uncommon

Denotes something not frequently encountered or observed.

rare

Indicates scarcity or infrequency.

FAQs

How can I use "unusual" in a sentence?

You can use "unusual" to describe something that is not common or ordinary. For example, "The bird had "unusual markings"" or "It's "unusual for him" to be late".

What are some synonyms for "unusual"?

Synonyms for "unusual" include "strange", "rare", "extraordinary", "atypical", and "anomalous". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "very unusual"?

Yes, it is correct to say "very unusual". The word "very" can be used to intensify the adjective "unusual", indicating something is highly uncommon or exceptional.

What's the difference between "unusual" and "unique"?

"Unusual" means not commonly encountered or different from what is ordinary, while "unique" means being the only one of its kind. Something can be unusual without being unique, but something unique is always unusual.