Odd | Definition of odd by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of ODD

1

a : being without a corresponding mate <an odd shoe>

b (1) : left over after others are paired or grouped (2) : separated from a set or series

2

a : somewhat more than the indicated approximate quantity, extent, or degree —usually used in combination <300-odd pages>

b (1) : left over as a remainder <had a few odd dollars left after paying his bills> (2) : constituting a small amount <had some odd change in her pocket>

3

a : being any of the integers (as −3, −1, +1, and +3) that are not divisible by two without leaving a remainder

b : marked by an odd number of units

c : being a function such that f (−x) = −f (x) where the sign is reversed but the absolute value remains the same if the sign of the independent variable is reversed

4

a : not regular, expected, or planned <worked at odd jobs>

b : encountered or experienced from time to time : occasional

5

: having an out-of-the-way location : remote

6

: differing markedly from the usual or ordinary or accepted : peculiar

— odd·ness noun

See odd defined for English-language learners

See odd defined for kids

Origin of ODD

Middle English odde, from Old Norse oddi point of land, triangle, odd number; akin to Old English ord point of a weapon

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ODD

Synonyms: unmatched, unpaired

Antonyms: matched, paired

Synonym Discussion of ODD

strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic, odd, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable <a journey filled with strange sights>. singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness <a singular feeling of impending disaster>. unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel <a career unique in the annals of science>. peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness <the peculiar status of America's first lady>. eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior <the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers>. erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating <a friend's suddenly erratic behavior>. odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected <an odd sense of humor>. quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness <a quaint fishing village>. outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric <outlandish fashions of the time>.

Rhymes with ODD

bod, clod, fade, Fahd, gaud, god, hod, mod, nod, od, plod, pod, prod, quad, quod, rod, scrod, shod, sod, squad, tod, wad

Definition of ODD for Kids

1

: not usual or common : strange <Walking backward is an odd thing to do.>

2

: not usual, expected, or planned <He does odd jobs to earn extra money.> <Finding the passage was an odd stroke of luck.>

3

: not capable of being divided by two without leaving a remainder <The odd numbers include 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.>

4

: not one of a pair or a set <She found an odd glove.>

5

: being or having a number that cannot be divided by two without leaving a remainder <an odd year>

6

: some more than the number mentioned <The ship sank fifty odd years ago.>

— odd·ly adverb

— odd·ness noun

Learn More About ODD

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "odd"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "odd"

Nglish: Translation of "odd" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "odd" for Arabic speakers

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