bizarre

word

/bəˈzɑɹ/
buh-ZAR
/bɪzˈɑː/
bi-ZAH

Definition

If something is bizarre, it is very strange, unusual, or surprising in a way that feels hard to explain. It often suggests that the thing stands out because it is oddly different from what people expect.

Usage & Nuances

Common in both speech and writing. Stronger than 'strange' and often more vivid or dramatic. Often used with nouns like 'behavior', 'story', 'incident', or 'scene'. In some contexts, it can sound amused rather than fully negative.

Example Sentences

That is a bizarre hat.

basic

We heard a bizarre noise in the kitchen.

basic

His painting has a bizarre style.

basic

She told me the most bizarre story on the way home.

natural

The whole situation was so bizarre that nobody knew how to react.

natural

It was a bizarre coincidence, but somehow we ended up on the same flight.

natural