If you describe something or someone as offbeat, you think that they are different from normal.
She adores old, offbeat antiques.
...a wickedly offbeat imagination.
Synonyms: unusual, odd, strange, novel More Synonyms of offbeat
offbeat in British English
(ˈɒfˌbiːt)
noun
1. music
any of the normally unaccented beats in a bar, such as the second and fourth beats in a bar of four-four time. They are stressed in most rock and some jazz and dance music, such as the bossa nova
adjective
2.
a.
unusual, unconventional, or eccentric
b.
(as noun)
he liked the offbeat in fashion
offbeat in American English
(ˈɔfˌbit)
noun
1. Music
any of the beats of a measure that have weak, or secondary, accents
adjective
2. US, Jazz
with a strong, or primary, accent placed on beats that usually receive a weak, or secondary, accent
3. Informal
not conforming to the usual pattern or trend; unconventional, unusual, strange, etc.
Examples of 'offbeat' in a sentence
offbeat
His pupils soon learnt of his offbeat sense of humour.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The quirky documentary strand returns with another typically offbeat film.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Hall seems to improve with age and the offbeat humour here is low-key and likeable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Still, watching this sour, offbeat square dance is undoubtedly an unsettling experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's the simplest of simple formulas, and yet it works superbly because of the intelligence and offbeat humour of those involved.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
(adjective)
Definition
unusual, unconventional, or eccentric
his dark, offbeat sense of humour
Synonyms
unusual
rare and unusual plants
odd
She'd always been odd, but not to this extent.
strange
There was something strange about the flickering blue light.
novel
Clubs are always looking at novel ways to raise cash.
out there (slang)
extraordinary
What an extraordinary thing to happen!
bizarre
That book you lent me is really bizarre.
weird
I had such a weird dream last night.
way-out (informal, old-fashioned)
Some of his suggestions are pretty way-out.
eccentric
an eccentric character who wears a beret and sunglasses
abnormal
a child with an abnormal fear of strangers
queer
If you ask me, there's something queer going on.
irregular
The minister was accused of irregular business practices.
rum (British, old-fashioned)
It was a rum sort of joke.
uncommon
Certain types of flu are uncommon.
Bohemian
bohemian pre-war poets
unconventional
He was known for his unconventional behaviour.
far-out (slang, old-fashioned)
a weird, far-out surrealist
idiosyncratic
kinky (informal)
kinky behaviour
off-the-wall (slang)
surreal off-the-wall humour
unorthodox
His methods were unorthodox, and his lifestyle eccentric.
oddball (informal)
out of the ordinary
Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary about him?
left-field (informal)
freaky (slang)
This guy bore a really freaky resemblance to Lenin.
wacky (informal)
wacko (slang, old-fashioned)
outré
outré outfits designed by art students
boho
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
his slightly daggy hobby of collecting novelty tea towels
Opposites
common
,
traditional
,
normal
,
usual
,
ordinary
,
conventional
,
orthodox
,
stereotyped
,
run-of-the-mill
,
unoriginal
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abnormal
Definition
differing from the usual or typical
a child with an abnormal fear of strangers
Synonyms
unusual,
different,
odd,
strange,
surprising,
out there (slang),
extraordinary,
remarkable,
bizarre,
unexpected,
curious,
weird,
exceptional,
peculiar,
eccentric,
unfamiliar,
queer,
irregular,
phenomenal,
uncommon,
erratic,
monstrous,
singular,
unnatural,
deviant (old-fashioned),
unconventional,
off-the-wall (slang),
oddball (informal),
out of the ordinary,
left-field (informal),
anomalous,
atypical,
aberrant,
untypical,
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré,
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of bizarre
Definition
odd or unusual, esp. in an interesting or amusing way
That book you lent me is really bizarre.
Synonyms
strange,
odd,
unusual,
out there (slang),
extraordinary,
fantastic,
curious,
weird,
way-out (informal),
peculiar,
eccentric,
abnormal,
ludicrous,
queer (archaic),
irregular,
rum (British, slang),
uncommon,
singular,
grotesque,
perplexing,
uncanny,
mystifying,
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
comical,
oddball (informal),
off the rails,
zany,
unaccountable,
off-beat,
left-field (informal),
freakish,
wacky (informal),
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré,
cockamamie (slang, US),
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of Bohemian
bohemian pre-war poets
Synonyms
unconventional,
alternative,
artistic,
exotic,
way-out (informal),
eccentric,
avant-garde,
off-the-wall (slang),
unorthodox,
arty (informal),
oddball (informal),
offbeat,
left bank,
nonconformist,
outré,
out there (slang),
boho
Nearby words of
offbeat
off-licence
off-putting
off-the-wall
offbeat
offence
offend
offended
Synonyms of 'offbeat'
offbeat
Explore 'offbeat' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of daggy
Definition
eccentric
his slightly daggy hobby of collecting novelty tea towels
Synonyms
eccentric,
odd,
strange,
bizarre,
weird,
peculiar,
abnormal,
queer (informal),
irregular,
uncommon,
quirky,
out there (slang),
singular,
unconventional,
idiosyncratic,
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
whimsical,
rum (British, slang),
capricious,
anomalous,
freakish,
aberrant,
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré
in the sense of eccentric
Definition
unconventional or odd
an eccentric character who wears a beret and sunglasses
Synonyms
odd,
strange,
bizarre,
weird,
peculiar,
abnormal,
queer (informal),
irregular,
uncommon,
quirky,
out there (slang),
singular,
unconventional,
idiosyncratic,
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
whimsical,
rum (British, slang),
capricious,
anomalous,
freakish,
aberrant,
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré,
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of extraordinary
Definition
very unusual or surprising
What an extraordinary thing to happen!
Synonyms
unusual,
surprising,
odd,
strange,
unique,
remarkable,
bizarre,
curious,
weird,
unprecedented,
peculiar,
unfamiliar,
uncommon,
unheard-of,
unwonted
in the sense of far-out
Definition
very unusual or strange
a weird, far-out surrealist
Synonyms
strange,
wild,
unusual,
bizarre,
weird,
avant-garde,
unconventional,
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
outré,
advanced
in the sense of freaky
This guy bore a really freaky resemblance to Lenin.
Synonyms
weird,
odd,
wild,
strange,
crazy,
bizarre,
abnormal,
queer,
rum (British, slang),
unconventional,
far-out (slang),
freakish
in the sense of irregular
Definition
not conforming to accepted practice or routine
The minister was accused of irregular business practices.
Synonyms
inappropriate,
unconventional,
improper,
unethical,
odd,
unusual,
extraordinary,
disorderly,
exceptional,
peculiar,
unofficial,
abnormal,
queer,
rum (British, slang),
back-door,
unsuitable,
unorthodox,
out-of-order,
unprofessional,
anomalous
in the sense of kinky
kinky behaviour
Synonyms
weird,
odd,
strange,
bizarre,
peculiar,
eccentric,
queer,
quirky,
unconventional,
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
oddball (informal),
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
out there (slang),
outré
in the sense of novel
Definition
fresh, new, or original
Clubs are always looking at novel ways to raise cash.
Synonyms
new,
different,
original,
fresh,
unusual,
innovative,
uncommon,
singular,
ground-breaking,
left-field (informal),
strange,
rare,
unfamiliar
in the sense of odd
Definition
unusual or peculiar
She'd always been odd, but not to this extent.
Synonyms
peculiar,
strange,
unusual,
different,
funny,
out there (slang),
extraordinary,
bizarre,
weird,
exceptional,
eccentric,
abnormal,
queer,
rum (British, old-fashioned),
deviant (old-fashioned),
unconventional,
far-out (slang, old-fashioned),
quaint,
kinky (informal),
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
whimsical,
oddball (informal),
out of the ordinary,
offbeat,
left-field (informal),
freakish,
freaky (slang),
wacky (informal),
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré,
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of off-the-wall
surreal off-the-wall humour
Synonyms
weird,
odd,
strange,
out there (slang),
bizarre,
extraordinary,
fantastic,
astonishing,
curious,
peculiar,
eccentric,
queer,
singular,
far-out (slang),
outlandish,
oddball (informal),
left-field (informal),
freakish,
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of out of the ordinary
Definition
unusual
Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary about him?
Synonyms
unusual,
different,
odd,
important,
special,
striking,
surprising,
significant,
strange,
exciting,
rare,
impressive,
extraordinary,
outstanding,
remarkable,
bizarre,
distinguished,
unexpected,
curious,
exceptional,
notable,
unfamiliar,
abnormal,
queer (archaic),
uncommon,
singular,
unconventional,
noteworthy,
atypical
in the sense of outré
Definition
eccentric and rather shocking
outré outfits designed by art students
Synonyms
eccentric,
odd,
strange,
out there (slang),
bizarre,
fantastic,
weird,
way-out (informal),
peculiar,
queer (informal),
extravagant,
rum (British, slang),
quirky,
singular,
grotesque,
unconventional,
idiosyncratic,
kinky (informal),
off-the-wall (slang),
outlandish,
whimsical,
left-field (informal),
freakish,
freaky (slang),
wacko (slang),
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of queer
Definition
dubious
If you ask me, there's something queer going on.
Synonyms
strange,
odd,
funny,
unusual,
extraordinary,
remarkable,
curious,
weird,
peculiar,
abnormal,
rum (British, slang),
uncommon,
erratic,
singular,
eerie,
unnatural,
unconventional,
uncanny,
disquieting,
unorthodox,
outlandish,
left-field (informal),
anomalous,
droll,
atypical,
outré
in the sense of rum
Definition
strange or unusual
It was a rum sort of joke.
Synonyms
strange,
odd,
suspect,
funny,
unusual,
curious,
weird,
suspicious,
peculiar,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
queer (archaic),
singular (old-fashioned),
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of strange
Definition
odd or unexpected
There was something strange about the flickering blue light.
Synonyms
odd,
unusual,
curious,
weird,
wonderful,
rare,
funny,
extraordinary,
remarkable,
bizarre,
fantastic,
astonishing,
marvellous,
exceptional,
peculiar,
eccentric,
abnormal,
out-of-the-way,
queer (archaic),
irregular,
rum (British, archaic),
uncommon,
singular,
perplexing,
uncanny,
mystifying,
unheard-of,
off-the-wall (slang),
oddball (informal),
unaccountable,
left-field (informal),
outré,
curiouser and curiouser,
out there (slang),
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of uncommon
Definition
not happening or encountered often
Certain types of flu are uncommon.
Synonyms
rare,
unusual,
odd,
novel,
strange,
bizarre,
curious,
peculiar,
unfamiliar,
scarce,
queer (archaic),
singular,
few and far between,
out of the ordinary,
infrequent,
thin on the ground
in the sense of unconventional
Definition
not conforming to accepted rules or standards
He was known for his unconventional behaviour.
Synonyms
unusual,
unorthodox,
odd,
eccentric,
different,
individual,
original,
out there (slang),
bizarre,
way-out (informal),
informal,
irregular,
bohemian,
far-out (slang),
idiosyncratic,
off-the-wall (slang),
oddball (informal),
individualistic,
out of the ordinary,
offbeat,
left-field (informal),
freakish,
atypical,
nonconformist,
wacky (informal),
wacko (slang, old-fashioned),
outré,
boho,
uncustomary,
daggy (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of unorthodox
Definition
(of a person) not conventional in beliefs, behaviour, etc.
His methods were unorthodox, and his lifestyle eccentric.