bizarre

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French bizarre (“odd, peculiar, bizarre, formerly headlong, angry”). Either from Basque bizar, "a beard" (the notion being that bearded Spanish soldiers made a strange impression on the French) or from Italian bizzarro.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /bɪˈzɑː(ɹ)/, /bəˈzɑː(ɹ)/
    • Audio (UK)(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /bɪˈzɑɹ/, /bəˈzɑɹ/
    • Audio (US)(file)
  • Homophone: bazaar

Adjective

bizarre (comparative more bizarre, superlative most bizarre)

  1. strangely unconventional in style or appearance.
    • 2011 October 22, Sam Sheringham, “Aston Villa 1 - 2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport‎:
      West Brom enjoyed more possession as the half progressed and were handed a penalty of their own in the 21st minute in bizarre circumstances.

Usage notes

The more and most forms are the most common comparative and superlative forms. While bizarrest is encountered not infrequently and is acceptable in most situations, bizarrer is rare and non-standard.

Synonyms

  • See also Thesaurus:strange

Translations

Further reading

  • bizarre in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • bizarre in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

Danish

Adjective

bizarre

  1. definite of bizar
  2. plural of bizar

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • Audio(file)

Adjective

bizarre

  1. Inflected form of bizar

French

Etymology

From Italian bizzarro.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bi.zaʁ/
  • audio(file)

Adjective

bizarre (plural bizarres)

  1. bizarre, odd
    Comme c'est bizarre !
  2. peculiar, quaint

Synonyms

Further reading

Anagrams

German

Adjective

bizarre

  1. inflected form of bizarr
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