What is oddball? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of oddball

oddballadjective
lập dị
/ˈɒdbɔːl//ˈɑːdbɔːl/

Where does the word oddball come from?

The origin of the word "oddball" dates back to the early 20th century in the United States. It is derived from the term "odd ball," which was used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe something that was unusual, unconventional, or peculiar. The term is believed to have originated from the phrase "odd ball on the end of a string," which referred to the odd or irregular-shaped ball that was often left over at the end of a string of normal balls. Over time, the phrase was shortened to simply "oddball," and its meaning expanded to include anything that was unusual, quirky, or out of the ordinary. Today, the term "oddball" is commonly used to describe someone or something that is peculiar, eccentric, or unconventional.

Vocabulary summary oddball

type noun

meaning eccentric

Example of vocabulary oddballnamespace

The science fiction author always wrote about time travel and talking animals, making her a true oddball in the literary world.
The comedian's style of humor was so absurd that it often left the audience scratching their heads, as they weren't quite sure whether to laugh or to shake it off as an oddball performance.
The painter's abstract works featured unconventional combinations of colors and shapes, which earned him a reputation as an oddball artist in the tight-knit art community.
The athlete's unorthodox training methods, which included weightlifting with sandbags and swimming with weights tied to his ankles, made him stand out as an oddball in his sport.
The actor's unusual choices for roles, ranging from a talking tree in a children's movie to a pedophile in a gritty crime drama, made him a distinctive oddball in Tinseltown.