What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
oddball
Example
He's a bit of an oddball, always wearing mismatched clothes. [oddball: noun]
Example
The movie was full of oddball characters and situations. [oddball: adjective]
maverick
Example
He's a maverick politician who doesn't follow party lines. [maverick: adjective]
Example
The CEO was known as a maverick in the tech industry for his innovative ideas. [maverick: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Oddball is more commonly used than maverick in everyday language. Oddball is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while maverick is more specific and often used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between oddball and maverick?
Maverick is generally considered a more formal word than oddball. It is often used in professional or academic contexts to describe people who are innovative or unconventional in their field.