Bizarre
/bɪˈzɑːr/noun
Strange or unusual, often in a way that causes interest or amusement.
Did you know?The term 'bizarre' may have connections to the Basque word 'bizar,' meaning 'beard', which was often seen as a marker of the uncanny or the unusual in historical contexts.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
French
bizarre
“Strange, odd, or fantastical; often used to describe unusual fashion or behavior.”
Late 16th Century
Italian
bizzarro
“Angry, irritable; later used to describe something strange or eccentric.”
Early 17th Century
Spanish
bizarro
“Courageous, brave; the sense of strangeness evolved later.”
Modern English
English
bizarre
“Adopted directly from French, retaining the meaning of something strange or outlandish.”
Explore more surprising origins