unusual looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusual looking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has an appearance that is not typical or expected. Example: "The artist created an unusual looking sculpture that caught everyone's attention at the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I'm already unusual looking.

The New York Times

"He's so unusual looking," she said.

The New York Times

"Aptera's desire to build a light and aerodynamically efficient — albeit unusual looking — car made sense".

The New York Times

Some unusual looking liquid runs down her hand which does not look like sweat.

The Guardian

He switched on the television and starting flipping through the channels to an unusual looking show on BBC2.

The New York Times - Arts

That's the basis behind it – if you're unusual looking, you're beautiful because of that, not in spite of it".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

If you see ropey-looking strands in your tea, or any other unusual-looking particles, chances are your tea has become a bacterial hotbed.

WikiHow

If consumers really want an unusual-looking smartphone then they had best wait a few years, says Geoff Blaber of CSS Insight, a market-research firm.

The Economist

The unusual-looking packages of dried plants may appear more intimidating than intriguing, but it doesn't have to be this way.

Huffington Post

Pas de Chat, her Devon Rex cat, an unusual-looking beast whose breed was said to have inspired the look of Steven Spielberg's character E.T., meanders around, too.

The New York Times

She was beautiful, or perhaps she was just so unusual-looking, with wide-set eyes sunk deep in her face, that "beautiful" was the easiest way of describing her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "unusual looking", be specific about what makes it unusual. This adds clarity and prevents vague descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "unusual looking" as a catch-all phrase. Replace it with more descriptive language that captures the unique attributes of the subject. For instance, instead of "an unusual looking flower", try "a flower with vibrant blue petals and a spiky stem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual looking" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It describes a noun by indicating that its appearance is not typical or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusual looking" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase that serves to describe something with a non-typical appearance. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability across various contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, writers should strive for specificity in their descriptions rather than relying on "unusual looking" as a vague descriptor. Related phrases like "odd looking" or "unique looking" can offer nuanced alternatives. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

odd looking

Replaces "unusual" with "odd", suggesting something is strange or peculiar.

strange looking

Substitutes "unusual" with "strange", indicating something is unfamiliar or peculiar in appearance.

peculiar looking

Replaces "unusual" with "peculiar", implying something is distinctive or eccentric in appearance.

curious looking

Substitutes "unusual" with "curious", suggesting the appearance is intriguing or prompts interest.

unique looking

Replaces "unusual" with "unique", implying something has a distinct and one-of-a-kind appearance.

distinctive looking

Replaces "unusual" with "distinctive", focusing on easily recognizable or characteristic features.

atypical looking

Substitutes "unusual" with "atypical", highlighting a deviation from the norm.

extraordinary looking

Replaces "unusual" with "extraordinary", conveying a sense of exceptional or remarkable appearance.

remarkable looking

Substitutes "unusual" with "remarkable", suggesting something is worthy of attention due to its appearance.

unconventional looking

Replaces "unusual" with "unconventional", emphasizing a departure from established norms or customs.

FAQs

How can I use "unusual looking" in a sentence?

You can use "unusual looking" to describe anything that deviates from the norm in appearance. For example, "The scientist discovered an unusual looking plant in the Amazon rainforest".

What can I say instead of "unusual looking"?

You can use alternatives like "odd looking", "strange looking", or "unique looking" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unusual looking" formal or informal?

"Unusual looking" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferable in highly formal writing.

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

"Unusual looking" simply means not typical in appearance, while "unique looking" suggests that the appearance is one-of-a-kind and distinct from all others. The latter implies a higher degree of singularity.