Words / B2

bi-ZAH/bɪˈzɑː/

Bizarre means very strange or unusual: a bizarre decision, bizarre behaviour. Odd and strange are everyday and milder; weird is informal; eccentric is odd but often personal style. In speech, really strange is enough. Bizarre is stronger than unusual. Do not reach for it for a slightly late bus — save it for something that genuinely does not fit.

Meaning

Very strange or unusual.

Examples

• “The ending of the film was bizarre.”
• “It was bizarre to cancel the exam ten minutes after students had sat down.”
• “The costume was bizarre on purpose: sequins, a traffic cone, and a clarinet.”

Good to know

Very strange. Everyday: odd / strange (milder). Informal: weird. Stronger than unusual. Not for a mild inconvenience.

Near in meaning

strange

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