strange

 If you don’t know anything about a person or a thing, or if something is unfamiliar to you, it might seem strange. We also use the word "strange" for things that are scary or cause concern.

• This is a strange object. What is it?
• There’s a strange smell coming from the engine.
• This meat has a strange taste. Is it okay?
• Maria had a very strange day today.
• Edgar saw something very strange while riding on the subway.
• There’s a strange guy in Hector’s class. He doesn’t say very much, and he smells really bad.
• The sky looks very strange. Is a storm coming?
• My stomach feels strange. I think I might be sick.

The word "strangely" is an adverb. Use it to modify a verb:

• He’s acting strangely. (The adverb "strangely" modifies the verb.)
• The host of the party was acting strangely towards her guests.
• My car is behaving strangely.

The word "stranger" is a noun. Use this word for a person:

• A stranger in our neighborhood was looking through the trash.
• Parents always tell their kids to be careful around strangers.
• After the divorce, David now feels like a stranger when he goes to his old house to visit his kids.

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This page was first published on September 12, 2012. It was updated on August 27. 2015.