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offbeat

offbeat

22 6.6
Different from the usual in a fun or creative way
  • adjective
  • /ˈɔfˌbit/
translation icon : poco convencional
  • He has an offbeat sense of humor that makes his jokes delightfully unexpected.
  • offbeat humor
  • offbeat films
  • offbeat way

It's actually kind of an offbeat, hilarious take on this real thing that happened.

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Examples

  • Mostly he wrote what the higher honchos in the newsroom referred to, often condescendingly, as "offbeat" stories.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • And I like to go about it in a quirky, sort of offbeat way because it sort of matches my chaotic personality.

  • And it was the place to go for any sort of interesting theory and, you know, offbeat movies and stuff like that.

  • You did not look nervous, and you know what, you kind of have offbeat good looks for someone...

  • I like the offbeat kind of different stories where it's like something really, you know, random.

  • Ted, you and I have worked together on some offbeat cases.

  • I thought it was fresh and offbeat.

  • It's actually kind of an offbeat, hilarious take on this real thing that happened.

  • It's a great book for people who love literature, mystery, fantasy, and offbeat humor.

    Blog text (21)
  • And I loved the eccentric, offbeat characters that inhabited them.

Synonyms

strange
vsoffbeat
2.3

Unusual and slightly odd in a way you cannot easily understand

is unconventional in a creative or noticeable, not just odd, way
unusual
vsoffbeat
2.2

Not common and different from what people expect

is more pointedly unconventional and deliberately odd
bizarre
vsoffbeat
406 5.9

Very strange or unusual in a way that surprises people

is unconventional but typically less extreme or grotesque
funky
vsoffbeat
  • Informal
126 6.4

Looks stylish in an unusual and original way

is unconventional without implying fashionable or stylish quality
quirky
vsoffbeat
67 4.4

Unusual in a way that is odd but likable

is unconventional more broadly rather than mainly charming
unorthodox
vsoffbeat
52 7.3

Not following the usual rules or customs

is unconventional in style rather than specifically rule breaking
48 4.1

Not usual and different from what people expect

is more strikingly unconventional rather than merely different
outlandish
vsoffbeat
34 7.4

Strange or unusual in a way that surprises people

is unconventional but not necessarily so shocking or alien
far-out
vsoffbeat
  • Archaic
17 8.8

Very unusual in style or ideas

is unconventional without necessarily being wildly extreme
way-out
vsoffbeat
  • Archaic
8 8.1

Very unusual and far from normal in ideas or style

is unconventional but less extreme or distant from normal
off-the-wall
vsoffbeat
  • Informal
7 8.0

Strange and often funny in a surprising way

is unconventional without the same strong surprise or humour
out of the way
vsoffbeat
3 6.1

Unusual in a way that does not follow normal rules

is more specifically striking and deliberately unconventional
out-of-the-way
vsoffbeat
1 6.3

Not usual and often interesting or surprising

is more pointedly unconventional and stylistically distinct
outré
vsoffbeat
  • Literature
9.9

Very unusual and sometimes strange in a way that attracts attention

is unconventional while being less eccentric or theatrical
off-piste
vsoffbeat
  • UK
8.2

An idea or action that is unusual and not part of normal rules

is unconventional in general, not only outside formal channels

Antonyms

683 1.0

Normal and not special or unusual

175 2.8

Doing things in the usual way most people expect, not new or original

1.2

Likely to happen or be true

How Unconventional

avant-garde
7 8.2
eccentric
99 7.2
offbeat
22 6.6
quirky
67 4.4
unusual
2.2
conventional
175 2.8

Surface Forms

offbeat positive

Morphology

offbeat = off + beat (semi-transparent) = off + beat

The adjective sense is a figurative extension from the musical term 'offbeat' (not on the beat) to mean unconventional, so learners who know 'off' and 'beat' may not directly infer 'unconventional' without familiarity with the metaphor.

Etymology

Offbeat is made of off 'away from' and beat 'a regular rhythm'. Think of someone stepping away from the music's main rhythm — to be offbeat is to be 'away from' what is usual, so it means unusual or strikingly different.