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strange

adjective
\ ˈstrānj How to pronounce strange (audio) \
stranger; strangest

Definition of strange

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a archaic : of, relating to, or characteristic of another country : foreign
b : not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2a : not before known, heard, or seen : unfamiliar
b : exciting wonder or awe : extraordinary
3a : discouraging familiarities : reserved, distant
b : ill at ease
4 : unaccustomed sense 2 she was strange to his ways

strange

noun, often attributive

Definition of strange (Entry 2 of 2)

: a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of −¹/₃ and a measured energy of approximately 150 MeV also : the flavor characterizing this particle
Other Words from strange Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about strange

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Other Words from strange

Adjective

strangely adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for strange

Adjective

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

Examples of strange in a Sentence

Adjective

 Does his behavior seem strange to you? Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. That is one of the strangest creatures I have ever seen. He gave me a strange look. Strange as it may seem, I don't like walking barefoot on the grass. It's strange that nobody told me about this before. That's strange. He was here a minute ago. The strange thing is that nobody saw him enter or leave the building. Children are taught not to talk to strange people. The language was strange to me.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Pregnancy—while beautiful and natural and all that jazz—comes with it's share of strange side effects: morning sickness, fatigue, an inexplicable craving for pickles and peanut butter...together. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What is HELLP Syndrome? What Ob-Gyns Want You to Know About This Dangerous Pregnancy Complication," 10 Sep. 2019 On the morning of 21 August, a Wednesday, researchers in Kiel, Germany, noticed something strange. — Gretchen Vogel, Science | AAAS, "Suspect surfaces in the mysterious case of the underwater research station that vanished," 9 Sep. 2019 The Pac-12 Conference opener for the schools ended up being a strange night on the shore of Lake Washington, capped by Thomas’ short field goal, giving the Golden Bears (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12) the shocking victory. — Tim Booth, SFChronicle.com, "Cal scores stunning upset over #14 Washington Huskies after long weather delay," 8 Sep. 2019 The book has an intriguing plot in which a world famous author appears on a TV talk show telling of the strange incident that gave to him the uncanny ability to write. — cleveland.com, "Shaker Heights’ Zimcosky continues growth as person, author," 8 Sep. 2019 Things got strange early in Saturday night’s game between Tennessee and BYU. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Watch BYU defender tackle Tennessee’s Jarrett Guarantano, grabs his shoe, throws it," 7 Sep. 2019 Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is back, full of scares, DayGlo chainsaws, furry and fierce characters, HHN devotees in black T’s and stranger things than that. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights: Opening night premieres more ‘Stranger Things,’ 2 new shows, crowd of costumes," 7 Sep. 2019 The man’s smile vanished, replaced by strange behavior and erratic driving. — Brooke Baitinger, sun-sentinel.com, "Man who chased down kidnap suspect tells how boy jumped from moving truck," 22 Aug. 2019 Dust around the star, depicted here in an artist's illustration, may be the most likely cause of its strange behavior. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "This sideways galaxy looks just like a lightsaber," 9 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Londonleaf Lane, 3433-Julie A. Strange to Jeremy D. Vitiello and Natsumi Takahashi, $243,000. — Washington Post, "Home sales in Anne Arundel and Howard counties," 17 May 2017 Strange, then Alabama's attorney general, was appointed to the Senate in February by Bentley. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, AL.com, "Mo Brooks campaign for Senate blasted by Washington PAC backing Luther Strange," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strange.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of strange

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for strange

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrange, from Latin extraneus, literally, external, from extra outside — more at extra-

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