NYT Dictionary

ODDBALL

/ˈɑːdˌbɔl/
NounAdjectiveODD-ballodd-ball · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

An eccentric or unusual person.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

Compound of odd + ball. First used in late 1930s, describing an extra ball played as a bonus in pin-ball type games. Well-attested since the 1940s, with the adjective appearing earlier than the noun.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

kookodd duckstrange fishqueer fishweirdoeccentriceccentric persongeekflakeabnormal

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 7 recorded puzzles:

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