strange

strange — adjective

1. Different from most other things of the same type; surprising because it does no

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

Different from most other things of the same type; surprising because it does not match what normally happens or is expected.

Example

Iris heard a strange noise coming from the attic late at night.

attributive: a strange + noun

It seems strange that Chidi has not replied to any of my messages yet.

it seems strange that + clause

Common collocations
  • strange noise
  • strange feeling
  • strange behaviour
  • strange thing
  • very strange
  • quite strange
Synonyms
  • odd

    similar meaning but slightly less strong and more common in everyday conversation

  • peculiar

    suggests something is unusual in a way that is interesting or slightly suspicious

  • weird

    more informal and suggests something is unnatural or causes a feeling of unease

Antonyms
  • normal

    the most direct opposite — what is usual and expected

  • ordinary

    suggests nothing special or remarkable

Grammar Patterns

it is strange that + clause

it is strange to + infinitive

something feels/looks/sounds strange

Usage Note

Common in both attributive position before a noun and predicative position after a linking verb. The pattern 'it is strange that + clause' is especially frequent in spoken English.

Common Mistakes

That was a very strange weird idea.
That was a very strange idea.
'strange' and 'weird' are too similar in meaning to use together as modifiers.

2. Not feeling physically comfortable or behaving in a way that shows something is

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

Not feeling physically comfortable or behaving in a way that shows something is wrong, often because of illness, tiredness, or an unusual situation.

Example

After the long flight, Élise felt strange and needed some fresh air.

predicative: feel + strange

Rohan looked strange when he heard the news about the accident.

Common collocations
  • feel strange
  • look strange
  • sound strange
  • something feels strange
Synonyms
  • uncomfortable

    more specific to physical unease, less mysterious than 'strange'

  • ill at ease

    more formal, focuses on mental rather than physical discomfort

Antonyms
  • comfortable

    the opposite — feeling physically or mentally at ease

Grammar Patterns

feel strange

look strange

it feels strange to + infinitive

Usage Note

This sense is almost always predicative — it follows a linking verb like 'feel', 'look', 'sound', or 'seem'. It is never placed directly before a noun (❌ 'a strange person' cannot use this meaning). Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1, 'strange' describes the thing itself; in sense 2, it describes a person's physical or emotional state.

Common Mistakes

I am feeling a strange person.
I am feeling strange.
when describing your own physical discomfort, do not add a noun after 'strange'.

3. Not previously known, seen, or experienced; new to a person so that they do not

3.adjectiveA2
Definition

Not previously known, seen, or experienced; new to a person so that they do not feel at home or comfortable with it.

Example

When Xiu moved to the city, every street felt strange to her.

predicative: feel strange to + person

Michael woke up in a strange room and could not remember how he got there.

attributive: a strange + noun (room)

Common collocations
  • strange place
  • strange face
  • strange city
  • strange surroundings
  • strange to someone
Synonyms
  • unfamiliar

    direct synonym, slightly more formal and neutral in tone

  • unknown

    stronger — suggests no information at all about something

  • new

    broader meaning; does not carry the same feeling of discomfort

Antonyms
  • familiar

    the direct opposite — known from previous experience

  • well-known

    very familiar through repeated experience

Grammar Patterns

a strange place/person/face

be strange to someone

feel strange

Usage Note

Often used with the prepositions 'to' (be strange to someone) when the focus is on a person's lack of familiarity. When used before a noun ('a strange place'), it overlaps with sense 1, but the emphasis is on not knowing rather than on being unusual.

4. Relating to a place or culture that is not your own; coming from somewhere outsi

4.adjectiveB1
Definition

Relating to a place or culture that is not your own; coming from somewhere outside your home country or region.

Example

The market sold strange fruits that Isabela had never seen in her home country.

attributive: strange + noun (fruits from another country)

Liang enjoyed hearing the strange language spoken by tourists at the hotel.

Common collocations
  • strange land
  • strange country
  • strange customs
  • strange language
Synonyms
  • foreign

    the most direct synonym; more neutral and factual than 'strange'

  • exotic

    suggests something attractively unusual from a distant place

Antonyms
  • native

    belonging to one's own place of birth

  • local

    from the area where you live

Grammar Patterns

strange land/country

strange customs/language

Usage Note

This sense is somewhat literary or old-fashioned in English. In modern everyday speech, 'foreign' or 'exotic' are more common. The word 'strange' in this sense usually carries a tone of mild surprise or wonder rather than negativity.

Idioms

feel strange

idiom

To experience an unusual or uncomfortable physical or emotional sensation.

Sara felt strange after eating the unfamiliar spicy dish.

Did you feel strange when you entered the old house?

funny strange/weird

idiom

Used to clarify that 'funny' means odd or unusual, not humorous.

The movie was funny strange, not funny ha-ha.

Min said the noise was funny strange, so we checked the basement.

truth is stranger than fiction

idiom

Real events can be more surprising than made-up stories.

The documentary proved that truth is stranger than fiction.

Aiden laughed and said, 'Truth is stranger than fiction, indeed.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something outside what is normal, but they differ in strength and tone. 'Strange' is the most neutral and general — it covers anything unusual, surprising, or unfamiliar. 'Odd' is slightly weaker and very common in conversation, often suggesting something is a little off but not alarming. 'Weird' is more informal and stronger, implying something unnatural or unsettling. 'Peculiar' adds a tone of curiosity or suspicion — something that seems specifically unusual in a noticeable way. 'Bizarre' is the strongest, describing something extremely unusual that is hard to believe or understand. For example, a 'strange noise' might just be unexpected, while a 'bizarre noise' would be deeply puzzling. A 'peculiar smell' draws your attention, but a 'weird smell' might make you feel uneasy.

odd ↗weird ↗peculiar ↗bizarre ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'strange' entered English through Old French 'estrange', which came from Latin 'extraneus' meaning 'external, foreign, not belonging'. The Latin root 'extra' means 'outside'. This explains why 'strange' carries meanings of both 'unusual' (outside the normal) and 'foreign' (outside one's own country). The sense of 'unfamiliar' developed in the 13th century, and the modern sense of 'odd or surprising' became common by the 16th century.