Definition

Noun (plural form, used with a plural verb) 1. A miscellaneous collection of small, leftover, or assorted items: Refers to a group of things that are varied, often of little individual value, and typically remain after the main part has been used or taken. 2. Remnants or scraps: Small pieces or parts that are left over from something larger.

Usage

"Oddments" is a plural noun used to describe a collection of miscellaneous, often unrelated, small items or leftovers. It implies a lack of uniformity and often suggests the items are remnants or of secondary importance.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "A box/bag/jar of oddments": A common collocation describing a container holding such miscellaneous items.
  • He rummaged through a box of oddments in the garage, hoping to find the right screw.
• Used to describe the leftover, less significant parts of a collection or set.
  • The final chapter of the book ties together the oddments of plot from earlier sections.

Variants and Related Words

• Oddment (singular noun): A single item that is leftover or does not belong to a set.
  • This single blue plate is an oddment; the rest of the set is white.
• Odds and ends (idiomatic phrase, plural noun): A very close synonym, meaning miscellaneous small articles or remnants.

Synonyms

• Assortment: A collection of various kinds of things.
• Miscellany: A mixture of various things.
• Remnants: Small remaining quantities or pieces.
• Sundries: Various items not important enough to be mentioned individually.

Antonyms

• Collection (cohesive): A group of similar or related objects gathered together.
• Set: A group of matching items designed to be used together.
• Uniformity: The quality or state of being uniform.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Bits and bobs (British English, plural noun): Another informal synonym for small, miscellaneous items.
  • I need to sort through all the bits and bobs in my desk drawer.
• This and that: Used to refer informally to various unspecified things.
  • We spent the afternoon chatting about this and that.

Noun

1. a motley assortment of things