bizarre
bih-ZAR
/bɪˈzɑːr/
Very strange, unusual, or striking in appearance or effect.
Implies a high degree of strangeness that evokes confusion, shock, or disbelief.
The story behind the word. The word has a twisted journey: Spanish 'bizarro' originally meant 'brave and gallant'. When borrowed into French via Italian, where 'bizzarro' meant 'prone to wild anger or unpredictable whims', the meaning shifted dramatically from noble courage to striking, surreal strangeness.
Word relationships
- outlandish: Outlandish emphasizes foreign or wildly bizarre features, while bizarre focuses on surreal confusing nature.
- normal: Normal means conforming to a standard, usual, or expected pattern.
Commonly confused with
- bazaar: Bazaar is a Middle Eastern marketplace; bizarre means strangely eccentric.
Word family
- bizarrerie (noun): An instance of strange behavior or oddness.
- bizarrely (adverb): In a weird or striking manner.
Collocations
- bizarre twist
- bizarre behavior
- bizarre scenario
- bizarre spectacle
Example sentences
- "The plot of the movie took a bizarre turn in the final act, leaving the audience bewildered." Film review
Memory hook
At a BIZARRE BAZAAR you see wild alien pets. Surreal and shocking.
When not to use
Do not use for mild or subtle differences; reserve it for dramatic strangeness.
Fun facts
- In Basque language, 'bizar' means beard, which led to a disproved folk myth that Spanish soldiers with strange beards inspired the word!
Related words
Explore more words
grotesque, surreal, bewildered, curio, nonplussed, flabbergast
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