What does strange mean?
Strange is an adjective meaning unusual, unexpected, unfamiliar, or oddly out of place. It can describe an object, sound, event, sensation, person, or situation, and its tone ranges from mildly curious to strongly suspicious or disorienting. For example, a strange light may suggest that something extraordinary is happening, while strange behavior may imply that a person is eccentric or acting unpredictably. The word is also used in expressions describing physical or emotional discomfort, as in “My throat feels strange” or “The whole situation felt strange.” In British and American English, “strange” has broadly the same meanings, though context determines whether it sounds merely unusual or deliberately unsettling. It is useful because it captures experiences that are not quite familiar without requiring a more specific judgment. The related forms “strangely,” “strangeness,” and “stranger” extend the word into adverbial, abstract, and noun uses.
adjectiveUnusual, unexpected, or different from what is familiar or customary. It can also describe someone whose behavior or appearance seems eccentric or unfamiliar.
- Unusual, unexpected, or different from what is customary.
- Not familiar or comprehensible.
- Odd or eccentric in behavior, appearance, or character.
- Uncomfortable or uneasy in feeling.
"The sudden change in the weather seemed strange after weeks of sunshine."
"He heard a strange noise outside the house and cautiously opened the door."
"She found it strange that the children were so quiet."
The word strange once carried a more social meaning: something foreign or distant was strange to us before it could be merely odd.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strange come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin extraneus, meaning “foreign,” “external,” or “coming from elsewhere.” Its early English sense therefore emphasized being outside one’s familiar experience or surroundings. Over time, it developed the modern meanings of unusual, unfamiliar, and eccentric. The related word “estranged” preserves the older idea of being separated from a familiar person or group.
Related word forms
How strange is actually used
The word is common in formal and informal English. It can describe something objectively unfamiliar, as in a strange sound, or suggest that a person, place, or situation seems eccentric, threatening, or out of place. In phrases such as “feel strange,” it often describes physical discomfort or emotional unease.
Easily confused with strange
Strange means unusual or unfamiliar, whereas estranged means separated or no longer close to someone, especially emotionally.