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| adj. strang·er, strang·est 1. a. Not previously known; unfamiliar: saw lots of strange faces at the reception; heard music that was strange to me. b. Not of one's own or a particular locality, environment, or kind; not native: came across a flower that was strange to the region. 2. Out of the ordinary or difficult to account for; unusual or peculiar: Events took a strange twist last week. 3. a. Reserved in manner; distant or cool: The once affable man slowly became strange to his friends. b. Not comfortable or at ease: I felt strange and out of place at the party because I didn't know any of the guests. 4. Not accustomed or conditioned: She was strange to her new duties. 5. Physics Of, relating to, or exhibiting strangeness. adv. In a strange manner: He's been acting strange lately. [Middle English, from Old French estrange, extraordinary, foreign, from Latin extrāneus, adventitious, foreign, from extrā, outside, from feminine ablative of exter, outward; see eghs in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] strangely adv. Synonyms: strange, odd, peculiar, eccentric, outlandish These adjectives describe what deviates from the usual or customary. Strange refers especially to what is unfamiliar, unknown, or inexplicable: It was strange to see so many people out walking around at night. Something that is odd fails to accord with what is ordinary, usual, or expected and suggests strangeness: “There was certainly something odd about the stars: perhaps there was more color in them, for they glittered like tiny gems” (Neil Gaiman). Similarly, peculiar describes what is odd or unusual, but often with an emphasis on distinctness or individuality: She has a peculiar kind of handwriting that is at once pleasant to look at but hard to read. Eccentric refers particularly to what is strange and departs strikingly from the conventional: His musical compositions were innovative but eccentric. Outlandish suggests alien or bizarre strangeness: The partygoers wore outlandish costumes. |
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