Words / A2

un-YOOZH-oo-uh-l/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl/

Unusual means different from what is normal: unusual weather, nothing unusual, highly unusual. Usual is the opposite adjective. Rare is stronger. Strange can mean unusual or hard to understand. Do not write unusual when you mean unusually (adverb), or unused (not used).

Meaning

Different from what is normal or expected.

Examples

• “It is unusual to see foxes in the town centre.”
• “It is unusual for him to be late.”
• “An unusual bird was sitting on the garden fence.”

Good to know

unusual weather / nothing unusual. Opposite: usual. Stronger: rare. Mix-up: unused.

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