anomaly

[ uh-nom-uh-lee ]

noun

, plural a·nom·a·lies.

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

   Synonyms: exception, aberration, abnormality

2. 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.

   Synonyms: exception, aberration, abnormality

3. an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.
4. an incongruity or inconsistency.
5. 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.
6. Meteorology. the amount of deviation of a meteorological quantity from the accepted normal value of that quantity.
7. Grammar. irregularity.

anomaly

/ əˈnɒməlɪ /

noun

1. something anomalous
2. deviation from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregularity
3. astronomy
   1. Also calledtrue anomaly the angle between a planet, the sun, and the previous perihelion of the planet
   2. Also calledeccentric 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
   3. Also calledmean 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
4. geology
   1. Also calledgravity 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
   2. Also calledmagnetic 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

• aˌnomaˈlistic, adjective
• aˌnomaˈlistically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of anomaly¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin anōmalia, from Greek anōmalía, equivalent to anṓmal(os) “irregular” + -ia noun suffix; anomalous, -ia

Example Sentences

Through these comical yet eye-opening critiques, she realized her platform — as a Black foodie born and raised in L.A. — was an anomaly.

From Los Angeles Times

“It felt like an anomaly. This feels different because it is a democratic victory.”

From Salon

De León’s camp dismissed the primary win as an anomaly and Jurado as a not-ready-for-prime-time joke.

From Los Angeles Times

But after climbing smoothly to the desired altitude, and correctly releasing a number of small satellites, the upper-stage of the rocket experienced an anomaly right at the end of the flight.

From BBC

It's not uncommon for a new rocket design to have some sort of anomaly or outright failure.

From BBC

Related Words

• aberration
• abnormality
• deviation
• inconsistency
• irregularity
• oddity
• rarity