How Many Different Ways Can You Say "Weird"?
You can use "weird" or "strange" to describe things that are not normal, but they have a particular nuance that might not always match the feeling you want to express. Some things are weird in a funny way, while others are weird in a scary or surprising way. What about something that is weird + cute? And are there more polite ways to say something is weird?
There are unique words for all of these, and we've collected them in this article. Learn them all and you'll be ready the next time you see something you don't normally see.
Common synonyms for “weird”
Unusual
The opposite of "usual" is, of course, "unusual."
She has an unusual singing voice, but I like it.
Peculiar
His peculiar behavior raised eyebrows.
To "raise eyebrows" is an expression that means to get people's attention, usually by doing something they are not used to seeing.
There is also the noun form "peculiarity," which refers to a strange feature or habit.
His peculiarities made him very popular at the party.
Odd
There was something odd about the abandoned house.
This word also has a noun form, which is "oddity." It's used to describe a strange item.
The small museum was full of rare oddities from around the world.
Bizarre
This word has a stronger nuance than "unusual" or "odd."
The circus performers were wearing bizarre costumes.
Quirky
Quirky includes the nuance of something being strange in a cute way. Also, "quirk" is a noun meaning a strange habit.
She had a quirky sense of fashion.
His habit of singing in the shower was just one of his many quirks.
Eccentric
The adjective form means "strange," but the same word can also be a noun. The noun form refers to a person who is strange.
The eccentric professor performed unusual experiments.
The eccentric was known for his wild clothing and even wilder behavior.
Abnormal
Just like the opposite of "usual" is "unusual," this word is the opposite of "normal."
These high temperatures are abnormal for this time of year.
Unconventional
A "convention" is something that most people agree is the regular way to do something. "Conventional" is the adjective form, so simply add "un-" to make its opposite.
The jazz musician Thelonious Monk had an unconventional way of playing the piano.
Describing a strange situation
Out of the ordinary
You may have heard the adjective "extraordinary," which is another way to say "amazing." "Out of the ordinary," however, simply means "unusual."
The big sale at the fancy store was an out-of-the-ordinary event.
Unsettling
This word includes a nuance of a little bit of scariness. It can be used to describe many things, but it is not used for people. However, you can say a person's behavior or actions are unsettling.
The unsettling silence made him nervous.
Surreal
This word means that something is strange in an unrealistic or unbelievable way.
It felt surreal to see himself on a big movie screen.
Fishy
This is another way to say "suspicious." Again, it is not often used for people, but it can be used to talk about their behavior.
There was something fishy about his sudden change of attitude.
Creepy
This word is a stronger version of "unsettling."
The old, abandoned house had a creepy atmosphere.
There is also the noun "creeper," which is often used to describe a man who behaves in a strange or inappropriate way with women.
That bar is usually full of creepers, so we try to avoid it.
Describing strange behavior
Aberrant
The student's aberrant behavior surprised his classmates.
Outlandish
Her outlandish fashion choices made her stand out.
Idiosyncratic
Her idiosyncratic personality made her easy to remember.
The noun form "idiosyncrasy" can mean "a strange point" or "a unique point," depending on the situation.
She likes to hum while she works. It's just one of her idiosyncrasies.
Freaky
Wow, it's really freaky for us to meet here by chance!
Unorthodox
This word is similar to "unconventional."
Her unorthodox teaching methods inspired the students to think creatively.
Wacky
This includes the nuance of comedy or something being funny in addition to being strange.
The wacky comedy show made the audience laugh uncontrollably.
Oddball
As an adjective, this is similar to "wacky," and as a noun, it means "an odd person."
He always comes up with oddball ideas that no one else would think of.
The party was full of interesting people, but the real oddball was the guy wearing a top hat and carrying a pet snake.
Expand your vocabulary!
English is a language with many synonyms. They may be tough to remember at the beginning, but they give you a lot of freedom to express your ideas accurately and creatively.
Learn a few at a time and start adding them into your daily conversations. We promise that your chats will become much more interesting!
