irregular

¹ir·reg·u·lar

adj \i-ˈre-gyə-lər, ˌi(r)-\

Definition of IRREGULAR

1

a : not being or acting in accord with laws, rules, or established custom <irregular conduct> b : not conforming to the usual pattern of inflection <irregular verbs>; specifically : strong 16 c : not following a usual or prescribed procedure; especially British : celebrated without either proclamation of the banns or publication of intention to marry <irregular marriage>

2

: not belonging to or a part of a regular organized group; specifically : not belonging to a regular army but raised for a special purpose <irregular troops>

3

a : lacking perfect symmetry or evenness <an irregular coastline> b : having one or more floral parts of the same whorl different in size, shape, or arrangement; specifically : zygomorphic

4

: lacking continuity or regularity especially of occurrence or activity <irregular employment>

— ir·reg·u·lar·ly adverb

Examples of IRREGULAR

1. His behavior as a teacher was highly irregular.
2. Her application was handled in an irregular manner.
3. a very jagged, irregular surface
4. The stone has an irregular shape.
5. He has a very irregular schedule.
6. The festival has been held at irregular intervals.

Origin of IRREGULAR

Middle English irreguler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin irregularis not in accordance with rule, from Latin in- + regularis regular

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IRREGULAR

Synonyms: aberrant, aberrational, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviate, devious, deviant, unnatural, untypical

Antonyms: natural, normal, regular, standard, typical

Related Words: unrepresentative; extraordinary, preternatural; rare, uncommon, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted; bizarre, curious, far-out, funny, kinky, odd, outlandish, out-of-the-way, outré, peculiar, quaint, queer, queerish, quirky, remarkable, screwy, strange, wacky (also whacky), way-out, weird, wild; eccentric, freakish, idiosyncratic, nonconformist, unconventional, unorthodox; extraordinary, preternatural; rare, uncommon, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted; odd, peculiar, strange

Near Antonyms: common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, ordinary, routine, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine (or run-of-mine), unexceptional, unremarkable, workaday; customary, usual, wonted; archetypal (also archetypical), average, characteristic, representative

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Synonym Discussion of IRREGULAR

irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming to rule, law, or custom. irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct <concerned about his irregular behavior>. anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence <her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization>. unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society <prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty>.