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

Derived Forms

• aˈnomalousness, noun
• aˈnomalously, adverb

Other Words From

• a·noma·lous·ly adverb
• a·noma·lous·ness 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

To say that this election is extraordinary or anomalous or unprecedented, while clearly true, doesn’t come close to capturing the bizarre alternate-universe quality of this entire episode in our nation’s history.

From Salon

It does seem anomalous, and it can be argued it is unfair.

From BBC

The office was established in 2022 to investigate reports and earlier, of UFOs — or, to use the preferred official term, unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs.

From Los Angeles Times

An anomalous seismic signal recorded for nine days in September 2023 was caused by the impact of massive landslide and tsunami in Greenland following the collapse of a glacier.

From Salon

The anomalous and isolated status of sheriffs is reflected in media coverage and academic research as well.

From Salon

Related Words

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