anomaly

[ uh-nom-uh-lee ]

/ əˈnɒm ə li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR anomaly ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural a·nom·a·lies.

a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form.

an anomalous person or thing; one that is abnormal or does not fit in: With his quiet nature, he was an anomaly in his exuberant family.

an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.

an incongruity or inconsistency.

Astronomy. a quantity measured in degrees, defining the position of an orbiting body with respect to the point at which it is nearest to or farthest from its primary.

Meteorology. the amount of deviation of a meteorological quantity from the accepted normal value of that quantity.

Grammar. irregularity.

Nearby words

anomalous complex, anomalous correspondence, anomalous dispersion, anomalous monism, anomalous zeeman effect, anomaly, anomer, anomia, anomic, anomie, anomite

Origin of anomaly

1565–75; < Latin anōmalia < Greek anōmalía, equivalent to anṓmal(os) anomalous + -ia -ia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anomalies

Though the documented cases of direct killing are not numerous, they must be taken very seriously and not dismissed as anomalies.
Hitler’s Killer Women Revealed in New History|Wendy Lower|October 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The other 22 Republican senators are probably lost (although there are a couple of anomalies among that 22).
Most GOP Senators Will Bow to Ted Cruz on Obamacare|Michael Tomasky|September 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Investigators are also looking into anomalies in the life of the cyclist who was killed at the scene.
Alps Murder Victims Pasts Probed by Cops|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So there were some anomalies about this contest that Democrats should be aware of.
Premature Celebration Follows Democratic Victory in New York State|Michael Tomasky|May 25, 2011|DAILY BEAST

But those shining moments have been anomalies, and this week's episodes served as a microcosm of this season's problems.
What's Wrong With Idol This Season?|Maura Johnston|March 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
It may be well to give a few instances of the anomalies presented, upon this hypothesis, by Marcion's text.
Supernatural Religion, Vol. II. (of III)|Walter Richard Cassels
Among other anomalies in his character, the way that misfortunes affect him is not the least striking.
The Shepherd's Calendar|James Hogg
This part shows perhaps a greater number of anomalies than any other facial organ.
Criminal Man|Gina Lombroso-Ferrero
How strange and how unceasing are the anomalies of Irish life!
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)|Charles James Lever
It is one of the anomalies of paternal government that the men made children turn upon their kind fatherly ruler.
Our Journey to the Hebrides|Joseph Pennell and Elizabeth Robins Pennell

British Dictionary definitions for anomalies

anomaly

/ (əˈnɒməlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

something anomalous

deviation from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregularity

astronomy

Also called: true anomaly the angle between a planet, the sun, and the previous perihelion of the planet
Also called: eccentric anomaly the angle between the periapsis of a particular point on a circle round the orbit as seen from the centre of the orbit. This point is obtained by producing a perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse through the orbiting body until it reaches the circumference of the circle
Also called: mean anomaly the angle between the periapsis of an orbit and the position of an imaginary body orbiting at a constant angular speed and in the same period as the real orbiting body

geology

Also called: gravity anomaly a deviation from the normal value of gravity at the earth's surface, caused by density differences at depth, for example those caused by a buried mineral body
Also called: magnetic anomaly a magnetic field, for example one produced by a buried mineral body, that deviates from an expected or standard value, usually that of the earth's magnetic field

Derived Forms

anomalistic, adjectiveanomalistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

anomaly

noun, plural a·nom·a·lies.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of anomaly

Examples from the Web for anomalies

British Dictionary definitions for anomalies

anomaly

noun plural -lies

Derived Forms

Medicine definitions for anomalies

anomaly

n.