strangely
UK: ˈstreɪndʒli | US: ˈstreɪndʒli
adv. in a strange or unusual manner
adv. in a way that is difficult to understand or explain
The word "strangely" derives from the Middle English "strange," which originally meant "foreign" or "unfamiliar" (from Old French "estrange," itself from Latin "extraneus," meaning "external" or "foreign"). The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial marker, turning adjectives into adverbs. Over time, "strange" evolved to mean "unusual" or "peculiar," and "strangely" came to describe actions performed in such a manner. The shift from "foreign" to "unusual" reflects how unfamiliarity often breeds perception of oddity.
He behaved strangely at the party, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
The machine worked strangely after the update, producing inconsistent results.
She smiled strangely, as if she knew a secret no one else did.
The lights flickered strangely during the storm, casting eerie shadows.
Strangely enough, he remembered every detail of the event years later.