unusualun‧u‧su‧al /ʌnˈjuːʒuəl, -ʒəl/ ●●● S2 W3 adjective 
an unusual feature unusual circumstances It’s unusual for Dave to be late. It’s not unusual (=it is quite common) to feel very angry in a situation like this.COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/most/highly unusual· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.extremely unusual· We’ve not had any snow yet, which is extremely unusual.rather/somewhat/quite/fairly unusual· The design of the house was somewhat unusual.phrasesnothing unusual· There is nothing unusual about the arrangement.something unusual· We want to know if anyone saw something unusual last night.anything unusual· Did you notice anything unusual about him?THESAURUSevents/situationsunusual different from what usually happens: · We had snow in May, which is very unusual.rare not happening very often, or existing only in small numbers: · Violent crimes are rare.· Hatton gathered many rare plants from all over the world.exceptional /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/ very unusual and happening very rarely: · Ninety-day visas can be extended only in exceptional circumstances.· The presence of a jury in a civil trial is now quite exceptional.out of the ordinary unusual and surprising or special: · It was a small village where nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to happen.freak extremely unusual and unexpected – used about an accident, storm etc: · A freak wave wrecked most of the seafront.· Their car was crushed by a tree in a freak accident.unprecedented /ʌnˈpresədentəd/ if something is unprecedented, it has never happened before – often used about successes and achievements: · An unprecedented number of students have received top grades.· This kind of deal is unprecedented.unheard of if something is unheard of, it has never happened or been done before – used especially when something seems very surprising to people at that time: · In our small town, this kind of crime was almost unheard of.· unheard-of luxuries such as electric windows and air-conditioningpeople/behaviour/methods etceccentric behaving in a way that seems rather strange but not frightening: · The house was owned by an eccentric millionaire.· eccentric behaviourunconventional very different from the way people usually behave, think, dress etc, often in a way that seems interesting: · His parents had a rather unconventional lifestyle, and let their children do whatever they pleased.· His approach to business may seem unconventional, but he certainly gets results.unorthodox unorthodox ideas or methods are different from the usual ones, and therefore seem surprising to many people: · He is known for his unorthodox political views.· unorthodox teaching methods
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a very unusual flavor
- Alan's work shows unusual talent and originality.
- He had an unusual ability to rise above the prejudices of his generation.
- I first met Maria in unusual circumstances -- we were both stuck in a Brazilian airport.
- It's unusual for Dave to be late.
- It is unusual to find lakes of this size in Britain.
- Louise makes hats that are eye-catching and unusual.
- She had an unusual last name - Peachtree or Plumtree or something like that.
- We had snow in April, which is very unusual.
- We were beginning to worry. It was unusual for David to be so late.
- Yuri invited me to sample some of Osaka's more unusual restaurants.
- And it is taking the unusual step of buying ownership stakes in some projects.
- And yet it is not unusual to hear of problems.
- The long, stout spines are an unusual feature which discriminates this species from other gastropods.
- They had seen and heard nothing unusual.
- To a lawyer it was an unusual and dangerous kind of will.
THESAURUSevents/situations
different from what usually happens: · We had snow in May, which is very unusual.
not happening very often, or existing only in small numbers: · Violent crimes are rare.· Hatton gathered many rare plants from all over the world.
very unusual and happening very rarely: · Ninety-day visas can be extended only in exceptional circumstances.· The presence of a jury in a civil trial is now quite exceptional.
unusual and surprising or special: · It was a small village where nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to happen.
extremely unusual and unexpected – used about an accident, storm etc: · A freak wave wrecked most of the seafront.· Their car was crushed by a tree in a freak accident.
if something is unprecedented, it has never happened before – often used about successes and achievements: · An unprecedented number of students have received top grades.· This kind of deal is unprecedented.
if something is unheard of, it has never happened or been done before – used especially when something seems very surprising to people at that time: · In our small town, this kind of crime was almost unheard of.· unheard-of luxuries such as electric windows and air-conditioning
people/behaviour/methods etc behaving in a way that seems rather strange but not frightening: · The house was owned by an eccentric millionaire.· eccentric behaviour
very different from the way people usually behave, think, dress etc, often in a way that seems interesting: · His parents had a rather unconventional lifestyle, and let their children do whatever they pleased.· His approach to business may seem unconventional, but he certainly gets results.
unorthodox ideas or methods are different from the usual ones, and therefore seem surprising to many people: · He is known for his unorthodox political views.· unorthodox teaching methods
Longman Language Activatornot what usually happens · We had snow in April, which is very unusual.· She had an unusual last name - Peachtree or Plumtree or something like that.· I first met Maria in unusual circumstances -- we were both stuck in a Brazilian airport.it is unusual to do something · It is unusual to find lakes of this size in Britain.it is unusual for somebody to do something · We were beginning to worry. It was unusual for David to be so late.
something that is extraordinary is very unusual because it would normally be very unlikely to happen or exist: · The man's story was so extraordinary that I didn't know whether to believe him or not.· He said it was an extraordinary decision and would send many industries spinning into recession.an extraordinary thing to do/say/happen: · She left her husband, and in 1912 that was an extraordinary thing to do.quite/most extraordinary British (=very extraordinary): · The whole incident had been quite extraordinary.
an exceptional situation is very unusual and happens very rarely: · A few of the top executives are women, but this is still exceptional.in exceptional circumstances/cases: · Exit visas are only given in exceptional circumstances.
something that is uncommon or not common is unusual because it does not happen very often: · The disease mostly affects older people, and is not common among people under 50.it is uncommon/not common (for somebody) to do something: · It is uncommon for small babies to sleep more than four hours without waking.
spoken say you don't usually see, find, hear etc something when it is very unusual to see it, find it etc: · You don't usually see rabbits of this size.· You don't often get people ringing up in the middle of the night to say they've found a body in the bath.
unusual and surprising or special: · Something out of the ordinary happened to us that night.· The goalkeeper did not have to do anything out of the ordinary to keep his side in the game.
a special occasion, situation, method etc is one that is different from what normally happens, and usually better: · There were special security arrangements for the President's visit.· The prince said he didn't want any special treatment in his new school.special event/occasion: · I would only buy expensive shoes for a special event such as a wedding.· a book of recipes for every day and special occasions tooin special circumstances: · Prisoners are only allowed to visit their families in special circumstances.
: freak accident/storm/conditions etc an accident, storm etc that is very unusual and unexpected: · He broke his leg in a freak training accident.· A freak wave wrecked most of the seafront.· Two planes were lifted up and thrown across the tarmac by a freak gust of wind.
off-beat films, designs, ideas etc are unusual and often seem interesting or humorous because they are so different from the usual ones: · We had some really offbeat ideas for T-shirt designs.· Movies featuring original or offbeat material are rarely big box-office successes.
unusually good or impressive unusual beauty, talent etc is much better or more impressive than usual: · Alan's work shows unusual talent and originality.· He had an unusual ability to rise above the prejudices of his generation.
unusually good, impressive, or important: · Joe has a special gift for mathematics.· The bond between Sonya and her mother was very special.
very much better, more beautiful, or more impressive than what is usual: · He really was a most extraordinary man.· The view from up here is extraordinary.· Everything about the woman -- her hair, eyes, and jewellery -- gleamed with extraordinary brilliance.
an exceptional person or thing is so good that they are unusual compared to most other things or people of a similar type: · When it comes to natural footballing ability, Gascoigne is exceptional.· Graham Greene had exceptional talents as a story-teller.· It's one of the best examples of old English furniture I've seen -- it truly is exceptional.
someone or something that is remarkable is unusually good or skilled, so that you notice them and admire them: · The record features some remarkable guitar and piano solos.· Henry Tippett showed remarkable flair as a hotelier.· a remarkable statesman and diplomat
very special and unusual: · He had that rare gift of being able to impart enthusiasm to others.· She bore her illness with rare courage.· Huston is a film-maker who has achieved a rare kind of beauty in his work.
informal use this to describe someone or something that is unusually good, impressive, or enjoyable: · This is quite a house.· Jane told me I was almost intelligent, which from her is quite a compliment.· That was some party last night!· "She's some lady," he said, with admiration.
happening or existing extremely rarely - use this especially about the qualities someone or something has or about a chance to do something: · She has a unique ability to communicate with animals of all kinds.· This vacation offers a unique opportunity to visit some of the most remote mountain areas of the region.
so unusual that nothing like it has ever happened before an unprecedented event or situation, especially a good one, has never happened before: · There has been an unprecedented demand for tickets.· An unprecedented boom in tourism brought prosperity to the town.· In the 1920's the number of Scots who made the journey across the Atlantic to the United States was unprecedented.
informal a situation or event that is unheard of is surprising or shocking because it has never happened before and is difficult to imagine: · Travel for pleasure was almost unheard of in the nineteenth century.an unheard-of luxury/achievement/outburst etc: · When my father was a child, a television was an unheard-of luxury.· The band had received six Grammy Awards -- an unheard-of achievement in such a short time.
when someone's behaviour is unusual someone who is unconventional lives, behaves, or does things in ways that are very different from the way that most ordinary people live or behave: · She comes from an unconventional family.· They were both unconventional to the point of eccentricity.· unconventional political views
spoken say this when you mean that someone is behaving in a way that they do not usually behave, so you think they may be ill or have some kind of problem: · Don't you want any more to eat? That's not like you.it's not like somebody to do something: · It's not like Sally to get so upset - I think she's been working too hard.
an interesting city, building, work of art etc a building, work of art, object etc that is interesting is unusual or special in some way: · The exhibition includes some interesting old musical instruments.· What makes San Francisco so interesting is its architecture, which is completely different from that of other American cities.
extremely interesting: · London is one of the most exciting and fascinating cities in the world.· It was a fascinating painting, with clever use of colour and light.· The Scottish Craft Centre has a fascinating range of pottery, jewellery and textiles for sale. · Alice Thornton's autobiography provides a fascinating account of family life in seventeenth-century England.
different in style from other buildings, cities, or works of art, and therefore interesting: · Louise makes hats that are eye-catching and unusual.· Yuri invited me to sample some of Osaka's more unusual restaurants.
if a place or a building has character , it is old and has a lot of unusual features which make it interesting and special: · The hotel has character and charm, and is ideal as a base for exploring the city.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs There have been reports of strange happenings in the town. There was something rather odd about him.
different from what is usual or normal: · Gandhi was a most unusual politician.
· We’ve not had any snow yet, which is extremely unusual.
· The design of the house was somewhat unusual.
phrases· There is nothing unusual about the arrangement.
· We want to know if anyone saw something unusual last night.
· Did you notice anything unusual about him?
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· There were several unusual circumstances that night.
· A sighting of a white deer is a rare event.
· The church’s most unusual feature is this window.
There have been reports of strange happenings in the town.· Any unusual incidents should be reported to the police.
· The new restaurant on Fifth Street has an excellent menu.
· This is rather an unusual request.
There was something rather odd about him. (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before)· Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· The local committees varied greatly in their composition and operating procedures, some of which were highly unusual.· It was a highly unusual presentation.· You can also enjoy a highly unusual view of the area through the cameraobscura at Foredown Tower and Countryside Centre.· Receiving such intensive medical therapy is highly unusual, allergists said.· This was highly unusual, since most golfers prefer their caddies to be well out of the way for such crucial short putts.· They were the ultimate female role models: highly unusual, gifted, respected women.· Even so, the discovery of an unknown mass grave is highly unusual.· This was highly unusual at that time.
· Many oaks provide intense leaf colour but for something more unusual look out for Nyssa sylvatica, the black gum.· Now Dively is trying something even more unusual.· This unusual country is about to become still more unusual.· That she believes in it, and has seldom succumbed to cynicism about it, is perhaps more unusual.· Even more unusual was the door because it too was of glass.· But more unusual was her crackdown on heavy drinking among employees-also a largely male activity and a national plague.· Rather more unusual is the single pair of Herons that have nested in the centre of Westham village for many years.· The banked cycling track formed one of cricket's more unusual boundaries.
· As Mr. Wildblood, for the child, said, before the justices the case followed a most unusual course.· The light is democracy and free enterprise, and that light is shining brighter and brighter in the most unusual places.· She was a most unusual woman.· The most unusual thing about him was the frozen expression on his face.· The new maisonettes have turned out to be the most unusual and attractive living spaces.· This keeps the place pristine, yet allows some of the most unusual yet sensational camping / hiking trips anywhere.· Orford Ness is one of Britain's most unusual coastal features.· In the limousine en route to the airport, Carter tried in a most unusual way to reach out to Park.
· Another rather unusual query ... Is it possible to make your own garden gnomes - by casting them?· A comprehensive, rather unusual wine list pushes diners into trying new wines in order to stay in an affordable price range.· Uncle Fred had become a marine because of rather unusual circumstances.· This rather unusual pecking instinct seems to ensure constant gratification for the male.· All this made Zeinab an interesting woman but a rather unusual one.· We call our rather unusual breed a Poodorbox!· As I mentioned earlier, this rather unusual configuration was as a result of customer specification.
· Sometimes their life stories are so unusual that truth is stranger than fiction.· We ended up spending as much time on my campus as his, which is so unusual.· That's not so unusual, is it?· After all, a ship lost at sea is a tragedy, but not so unusual.· One house was so unusual that we stopped and walked around it.· And it has succeeded, mainly because its premise is so unusual and unexpected.· I would be so grateful if you could tell me the name of it, because it looks so unusual.· Anyway, what was so unusual about it?
· Because they lead somewhat unusual lives, college teachers are often subjected to this type of elaborate caricature.· The manual is somewhat unusual in that it actually makes sense.· The case has a somewhat unusual history, for this is the second hearing in this court concerning this case.· A young man had epilepsy in a somewhat unusual form.· In another sense, the current romance rage is somewhat unusual.· There are two examples, albeit somewhat unusual ones.· There were hundreds of pictures on that wall, forming a somewhat unusual collage.
· The Siege of Chattanooga had at least one very unusual aspect: Many of the besiegers were as miserable as the besieged.· More so than those, however, it is a slightly unusual name, one fit for a very unusual man.· It was a very unusual case.· He awoke with a slight headache and a keen appetite, a very unusual combination for him.· Amelia was a very unusual resident, the only person permitted by Mary Simkhovitch to use Greenwich House somewhat as a hotel.
NOUN· Chimpanzees have been observed to indulge in mobbing in certain unusual cases.· Yes, there are unusual cases.· In some unusual cases one is willing to apply the term when only one of these conditions obtains.· It was a very unusual case.· Meanwhile, Tracey is about to embark on one of the most unusual cases of her career.
· Consumer spending for services were boosted by some unusual circumstances.· Uncle Fred had become a marine because of rather unusual circumstances.· Two professional baseball players find their lives drawn together in unusual circumstances.· Non-consultation may be justified on one or more of these grounds, but only in unusual circumstances.· But such a decline was illusory - caused largely by the unusual circumstances of the 1931 General Election.· Few appeared perturbed at beginning a new life in such unusual circumstances.· Owing to the unusual circumstances there would have to be a coroner's inquest.
· This, it is being made clear, is an unusual event.· An unusual event which cost me dear but it made the point to Chutra as to who was the leader around here.· People knocking at the door was a very unusual event in this household.
· An unusual feature is the very lengthy glossary running to 37 pages for 46 terms.· Another unusual feature in this price class: outputs that enable those wishing to upgrade their home theater with separate power amplifiers.· The long, stout spines are an unusual feature which discriminates this species from other gastropods.· Then write an outstanding characteristic-a physical attribute, a result it brings, or an unusual feature.· Something else you can look for is an unusual feature that may attract fish to it.· Geophysicists had anticipated finding unusual features along the mid-ocean ridges since shortly after these plate borders were discovered.· But two or three unusual features of last week's cut fired the imagination of New York's conspiracy theorists.· The size, shape and placing of these windows did much to fashion the unusual features of the ascent stage's face.
· More so than those, however, it is a slightly unusual name, one fit for a very unusual man.· What an unusual name for a gallery.· It's an unusual name, isn't it?· The house has a most unusual name too.· There's no evidence to suggest that an unusual names increase the selling rate.· Success rating out of 25-10 Stevee Mayes Landmark Duckstein-an unusual name.· Stuart Clark asked him why the sail has such an unusual name?
· That is why Le Monde took the unusual step of acting as a mouthpiece for the representatives of underground movements.· And it is taking the unusual step of buying ownership stakes in some projects.· The situation has prompted the prison governor to take the unusual step of refusing to accept any more remand prisoners.· This was an unusual step for Polybius, the more remarkable because he had taken part in the destruction of Carthage.· In 1899 the company took the unusual step of appointing him general manager, a tribute to his administrative as well as engineering abilities.
· As he sat there breakfasting with his younger brother, he watched his father busying himself in an unusual way.· One of those smaller enterprises was started several years ago in a very unusual way.· She must have come to know her employers better than many others, and certainly in a quite different and unusual way.· In the limousine en route to the airport, Carter tried in a most unusual way to reach out to Park.· I can love my wife in the usual way and I can love Shinko in the unusual way!· Jill succeeded because she dared to apply for a position in an unusual way.· We often defend what we do in the most unusual ways - do you recognize any of these in you?· She had a special, very unusual way of kicking.
an unusual feature unusual circumstances It’s unusual for Dave to be late. It’s not unusual (=it is quite common) to feel very angry in a situation like this.COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/most/highly unusual· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.extremely unusual· We’ve not had any snow yet, which is extremely unusual.rather/somewhat/quite/fairly unusual· The design of the house was somewhat unusual.phrasesnothing unusual· There is nothing unusual about the arrangement.something unusual· We want to know if anyone saw something unusual last night.anything unusual· Did you notice anything unusual about him?THESAURUSevents/situationsunusual different from what usually happens: · We had snow in May, which is very unusual.rare not happening very often, or existing only in small numbers: · Violent crimes are rare.· Hatton gathered many rare plants from all over the world.exceptional /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/ very unusual and happening very rarely: · Ninety-day visas can be extended only in exceptional circumstances.· The presence of a jury in a civil trial is now quite exceptional.out of the ordinary unusual and surprising or special: · It was a small village where nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to happen.freak extremely unusual and unexpected – used about an accident, storm etc: · A freak wave wrecked most of the seafront.· Their car was crushed by a tree in a freak accident.unprecedented /ʌnˈpresədentəd/ if something is unprecedented, it has never happened before – often used about successes and achievements: · An unprecedented number of students have received top grades.· This kind of deal is unprecedented.unheard of if something is unheard of, it has never happened or been done before – used especially when something seems very surprising to people at that time: · In our small town, this kind of crime was almost unheard of.· unheard-of luxuries such as electric windows and air-conditioningpeople/behaviour/methods etceccentric behaving in a way that seems rather strange but not frightening: · The house was owned by an eccentric millionaire.· eccentric behaviourunconventional very different from the way people usually behave, think, dress etc, often in a way that seems interesting: · His parents had a rather unconventional lifestyle, and let their children do whatever they pleased.· His approach to business may seem unconventional, but he certainly gets results.unorthodox unorthodox ideas or methods are different from the usual ones, and therefore seem surprising to many people: · He is known for his unorthodox political views.· unorthodox teaching methods- authentically
- authenticate
- authentication
- authenticity
- author
- authoress
- authorial
- authoring
- authoritarian
- authoritarianism
- authoritative
- authoritatively
- authority
- authorization
- authorize
- Authorized Version
- authorship
- autism
- autistic
- autistic spectrum
- autistic spectrum disorder
- auto-
- auto
- autobiographical
- autobiography