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Atypical vs Unusual - What's the difference?

atypical | unusual |

Unusual is a synonym of atypical.



As adjectives the difference between atypical and unusual

is that atypical is not conforming to the normal type while unusual is unlike what is expected; differing in some way from the norm.

As a noun atypical

is an atypical antipsychotic.

atypical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not conforming to the normal type.
  • Unusual or irregular.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (pharmacy) An atypical antipsychotic.

    • unusual

    English

    Alternative forms

    * unusuall (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Unlike what is expected; differing in some way from the norm.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town. I was completely mystified at such an unusual proceeding.}}
  • Not usual.

    • Synonyms

    * (different from the expected) abnormal, rare, strange, weird, (stronger) extraordinary ** See also

    Antonyms

    * (different from the expected) normal, usual