Cool MateThat’s weird vs Unusual
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That’s weird
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Unusual
Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective
Most formal: Unusual
| That’s weird | Unusual | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts wɪəd//🇺🇸 //ðæts wɪrd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl//ʌnˈjuːʒəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl//ʌnˈjuːʒəl/"]/ |
| Meaning | That is strange or unusual. | Not common or not what you expect. |
| Example | The lights flickered, and I thought, 'That’s weird.' | She wore an unusual hat that caught everyone's attention. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | That's weird timing, That's weird behavior, That's weird to say, That's weird, isn't it?, That’s weird for sure | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, for, in, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, for, in |
| Antonyms | - | usual, common, ordinary |
| Common mistakes | Using in overly formal contexts., Confusing with 'That's strange' - similar but 'weird' has a stronger connotation., Not using the contraction (That's) - sounds more natural to shorten. | Confused with 'unusual' vs 'usual'., Misuse in negative sentences, like saying 'not unusual' when you mean something is common., Using 'unusual' when 'unique' would be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use when something feels odd or unexpected; appropriate in casual contexts but can seem unprofessional in formal settings. | Use 'unusual' to describe something that is different from what is typical. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may sound less natural in very informal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: That’s weird vs Unusual
What's the difference between That’s weird and Unusual?
That’s weird: That is strange or unusual. Unusual: Not common or not what you expect.
Which is more formal: That’s weird and Unusual?
Unusual is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
That’s weird: The lights flickered, and I thought, 'That’s weird.' Unusual: She wore an unusual hat that caught everyone's attention.
Can I use That’s weird and Unusual interchangeably?
Not always. That’s weird and 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.