anomalous

[uh-nom-uh-luhs]

adjective

1. deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule; irregular; abnormal.

   Advanced forms of life may be anomalous in the universe.

2. not fitting into a common or familiar type, classification, or pattern; unusual.

   He held an anomalous position in the art world.

3. incongruous or inconsistent.

4. Grammar.,  irregular.

anomalous

/ əˈnɒmələs /

adjective

1. deviating from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregular, abnormal, or incongruous

Other Word Forms

• anomalously adverb
• anomalousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anomalous¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin, Late Latin anōmalus, or directly from Greek anṓmalos “irregular,” equivalent to an- “not, lacking” an- ¹ + homalós “even,” with ō by analogy with other Greek privatives ( anopheles ); an- ¹, homo-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of anomalous¹

C17: from Late Latin anōmalus, from Greek anōmalos uneven, inconsistent, from _an- + homalos even, from homos one and the same

Example Sentences

“It’s completely unprecedented, completely anomalous — representative, I think, of a major transformation of our normal political life,” said Jack Rakove, a Stanford University emeritus professor of history and political science.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Those who may have been holding out hope that some of this was anomalous and this recklessness was temporary, I think now deeply understand what’s at stake,” he said.

Read more on Salon

Prof Armstrong said it was "anomalous that we have one single state organisation that is immune from prosecution".

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Ireland really is unique, or at least anomalous, in a number of respects.

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Mrs Justice Lang added: "This results in an anomalous situation where officers who do not have basic vetting clearance cannot be dismissed."

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Related Words

• abnormal 
• atypical 
• divergent 
• incongruous 
• peculiar 
• unnatural