offbeat

3 definitions • 5 examples

unusual and strange and therefore surprising or noticeable:

an offbeat sense of humour

a note in a bar (= one of the small equal parts into which a piece of music is divided) that is not usually accented (= given a special emphasis), such as the second and fourth notes in four-four time:

Each beat has an associated offbeat.

There are a lot of bands that have no rhythm, and should really put in a few offbeats.

Reggae moves away from rock rhythm, often accentuating the off-beats.

unusual and therefore surprising or noticeable:

an offbeat sense of humor