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Definition of unusual

unusual

/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl/
un · u · su · al
Adverb:unusually
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unusual Lexical Profile

unusual Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not habitually or commonly occurring or done; out of the ordinary.

Example

"It is unusual for the region to experience such heavy snowfall in late spring."

2

Remarkable or interesting because of being different from others; exceptional.

Example

"The young pianist displayed an unusual talent for improvising complex melodies."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

unusably
unused
unuseful
unusual
unusually
unusualness
unutilized

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English in the early 16th century by adding the privative prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'usual', which derives via Old French from the Late Latin 'usualis' ('customary, ordinary'), from Latin 'usus' ('use, custom').

Cite this Entry

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