strange
/streɪndʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [strˈendʒ] /streɪndʒ/ (ame, ipa) · [strˈendʒ] /ˈstrānj/ (ame, mw)
strange — adjective
- strangepositive
- strangercomparative
- strangestsuperlative
1. Different from most other things of the same type; surprising because it does no
Different from most other things of the same type; surprising because it does not match what normally happens or is expected.
Iris heard a strange noise coming from the attic late at night.
attributive: a strange + noun
It seems strange that Chidi has not replied to any of my messages yet.
it seems strange that + clause
The old house had a strange smell that nobody could explain.
Sirin found it strange that nobody answered the door at her grandmother's house.
文法句型
it is strange that + clause
it is strange to + infinitive
something feels/looks/sounds strange
用法筆記
Common in both attributive position before a noun and predicative position after a linking verb. The pattern 'it is strange that + clause' is especially frequent in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. Not feeling physically comfortable or behaving in a way that shows something is
Not feeling physically comfortable or behaving in a way that shows something is wrong, often because of illness, tiredness, or an unusual situation.
After the long flight, Élise felt strange and needed some fresh air.
predicative: feel + strange
Rohan looked strange when he heard the news about the accident.
Tamar felt strange all over after eating the unfamiliar spicy dish.
Ife's voice sounded strange on the phone, so I asked if she was sick.
- uncomfortable
more specific to physical unease, less mysterious than 'strange'
- ill at ease
more formal, focuses on mental rather than physical discomfort
- comfortable
the opposite — feeling physically or mentally at ease
文法句型
feel strange
look strange
it feels strange to + infinitive
用法筆記
This sense is almost always predicative — it follows a linking verb like 'feel', 'look', 'sound', or 'seem'. It is never placed directly before a noun (❌ 'a strange person' cannot use this meaning). Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1, 'strange' describes the thing itself; in sense 2, it describes a person's physical or emotional state.
常見錯誤
3. Not previously known, seen, or experienced; new to a person so that they do not
Not previously known, seen, or experienced; new to a person so that they do not feel at home or comfortable with it.
When Xiu moved to the city, every street felt strange to her.
predicative: feel strange to + person
Michael woke up in a strange room and could not remember how he got there.
attributive: a strange + noun (room)
The teacher told the class not to accept rides from strange adults.
Roya sat next to a strange woman on the bus who smiled at her kindly.
- unfamiliar
direct synonym, slightly more formal and neutral in tone
- unknown
stronger — suggests no information at all about something
- new
broader meaning; does not carry the same feeling of discomfort
- familiar
the direct opposite — known from previous experience
- well-known
very familiar through repeated experience
文法句型
a strange place/person/face
be strange to someone
feel strange
用法筆記
Often used with the prepositions 'to' (be strange to someone) when the focus is on a person's lack of familiarity. When used before a noun ('a strange place'), it overlaps with sense 1, but the emphasis is on not knowing rather than on being unusual.
4. Relating to a place or culture that is not your own; coming from somewhere outsi
Relating to a place or culture that is not your own; coming from somewhere outside your home country or region.
The market sold strange fruits that Isabela had never seen in her home country.
attributive: strange + noun (fruits from another country)
Liang enjoyed hearing the strange language spoken by tourists at the hotel.
The strange customs of the village fascinated Roya, who was visiting from abroad.
The museum displayed strange musical instruments from ancient Egypt.
文法句型
strange land/country
strange customs/language
用法筆記
This sense is somewhat literary or old-fashioned in English. In modern everyday speech, 'foreign' or 'exotic' are more common. The word 'strange' in this sense usually carries a tone of mild surprise or wonder rather than negativity.