Phrase guide

strange bedfellows

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An unusual combination or political alliance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural, plural-normally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

1610, from Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Estonian: ootamatud liitlased — unusual combination or political alliance
  • Russian: неожи́данные сою́зники (neožídannyje sojúzniki) — unusual combination or political alliance
  • Russian: стра́нные компаньо́ны (stránnyje kompanʹóny) — unusual combination or political alliance