Cool MateOdd vs That's unusual
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Odd
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
That's unusual
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Odd
| Odd | That's unusual | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɒd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɑːd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ʌnˈjuːʒəl//🇺🇸 //ðæts ʌnˈjuːʒəl// |
| Meaning | Strange or unusual. | That's not normal or expected. |
| Example | It's odd how he always knows what I'm thinking. | I saw a cat wearing a hat, and that's unusual. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, how odd, it is odd to think, something odd | that's unusual response, that's unusual behavior, that's unusual circumstance |
| Antonyms | even, normal, common | normal, typical, usual |
| Common mistakes | Using 'odd' to describe something that is simply different but not strange., Confusing 'odd' with 'oddly', which is an adverb., 'Odd' used incorrectly in positive contexts when it should be neutral or negative. | Using inappropriately in formal writing., Mispronouncing as 'that is unusual'., Confusing with 'that's normal' when reacting. |
| Usage notes | Use 'odd' to describe something that is not normal or makes you feel uneasy. It can refer to behavior, things, numbers, etc. Avoid using it in very formal situations. | Use in conversations to express surprise or curiosity. Suitable in both casual and formal contexts, but may sound too blunt in very formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Odd vs That's unusual
What's the difference between Odd and That's unusual?
Odd: Strange or unusual. That's unusual: That's not normal or expected.
Which is more common: Odd and That's unusual?
Odd is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Odd: It's odd how he always knows what I'm thinking. That's unusual: I saw a cat wearing a hat, and that's unusual.
Can I use Odd and That's unusual interchangeably?
Not always. Odd and That's unusual are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.