Oddballish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A quality exemplifying uniqueness or unconventionality that sets one apart from typical behavior
2. A manner or trait that reflects a peculiar or quirky nature, diverging from conventional expectations
3. Exhibiting traits or behavior that are noticeably unconventional or peculiar

Etymology: Oddballish is a plain formation: "oddball" with the suffix "-ish" added, meaning "somewhat" or "having the qualities of." The base word "oddball" is itself a compound of "odd" and "ball," and it is used for an eccentric or unconventional person. Adding "-ish" turns that noun into an adjective describing a manner or trait that is slightly peculiar rather than fully eccentric. The suffix does most of the work here. "-ish" is a productive English ending that attaches to nouns and adjectives to suggest approximation, as in "greenish" or "childish." Its meaning is softer than "odd" alone: a thing that is oddballish is not strange in any dramatic sense, only a little off the usual pattern.

Synonyms: eccentric, quirky, strange

Antonyms: normal, ordinary