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

Related Words

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