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Definition of oddball

oddball

/ˈɑːdˌbɔːl/
odd · ball
Plural:oddballs
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oddball Lexical Profile

oddball Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Unconventionally strange, eccentric, or quirky in character or style.

Example

"The director is known for his oddball sense of humor and unconventional storytelling."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A person whose behavior, habits, or views are regarded as strange, eccentric, or unconventional.

Example

"Despite being viewed as an oddball by his neighbors, the inventor was a brilliant engineer."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for oddball
Antonyms
View all antonyms for oddball

• Nearby Words

octuplet
ocular
odd
oddball
oddish
oddity
oddly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late 1940s American slang as a compound of "odd" and "ball," modeled on earlier informal character terms such as "screwball" and "eightball."

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oddball. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oddball
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