unusual

adjective

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

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 The cause of the recent uptick in fish deaths is unclear, but the sudden increase in steelhead at the pumps is unusual, according to Ashley Overhouse, a water policy advisor with Defenders of Wildlife. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Although the arrangement is unusual for Japan’s second- and third-biggest carmakers, Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, said that the companies need to work together to survive the threat of new industry contenders, according to the Financial Times. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 The sight is not unusual says Susheela, a resident of the suburb of Bandepalya, who goes by one name and needs the water for her family of four. Rhea Mogul, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Grooms taking brides' names is so unusual, data on it doesn't seem to exist. Megan Angelo, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Navarro can still ask the Supreme Court to rule in his favor, but such an intervention would be extremely unusual. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The unusual situation where the two inmates could speak to each other while detained was designed by law enforcement purposely to record conversations between the unwitting defendants. Greg Fisher, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 Notable, too, in this dining room are the many solo travelers—not unusual in a retreat. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024 Other unusual ingredients in later challenges included pork brains in gravy, musk sticks, moon snails and his least favorite — beef bile. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unusual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unusual was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near unusual

Cite this Entry

“Unusual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unusual. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unusual

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

More from Merriam-Webster on unusual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!