weird

Everyday

1. Weird means very strange or unusual, in a way that is surprising or hard to explain. tree →
2. Weird can mean strange in a slightly scary or magical way: «a weird light in the sky». tree →
3. (Old) To weird someone means to decide their fate or gift them something by magic. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk children say «That's weird!» about something odd. In science, «weird» animals (the platypus, the axolotl, the anglerfish) show how many ways living things adapt. In safety and friendship lessons: if an adult or someone online makes you feel weird or uncomfortable, trust that feeling and tell a trusted adult. In kindness lessons, calling a person «weird» because they are different can hurt. Phrases: «weird and wonderful», «feel weird», «that's weird».

Examples

• That's weird — my pencil was here a minute ago. tree →
• The platypus is a weird animal: it lays eggs and has a beak. tree →
• There was a weird noise in the attic. tree →
• I had a weird dream last night. tree →
• If something online feels weird, tell an adult. tree →
• It's weird how fast the year went. tree →
• The soup tasted weird. tree →
• The second said: “I weird her such a sweet voice as shall far exceed the nightingale.” tree →

Note

Spelling trap: «ei», breaking the rule «i before e except after c» — weird, not «wierd». Comparative: weirder, weirdest. Don't call people weird to hurt them; being different is OK.