Oddly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈɑdli/

Definitions

1. In a manner that is strange or different from what is normal or expected
2. Describes an action or quality that appears unusual or peculiar in some way
3. Expresses something done or happening in a way that stands out as uncommon or unexpected

Etymology: "Oddly" is about as plain as English adverbs get: it is the adjective "odd" with the adverbial ending "-ly" attached. That ending comes from the Old English "-lic" (later "-ly"), which turned adjectives into adverbs of manner, so "odd" plus "-ly" gives "in an odd manner." The adjective "odd" itself is the more interesting piece, but the adverb simply inherits its sense. The adverb appears in Middle English as "oddely," "odly," and related spellings, showing the same suffixing that produced the modern form. Its meaning has stayed close to the adjective's core idea of something left over or not matching, so an oddly behaving object or an oddly dressed person is one that falls outside what was expected.

Synonyms: strangely, weirdly, unusually, peculiarly, anomalously

Antonyms: normally, usually, commonly, regularly, traditionally