anomalous

American  

[uh-nom-uh-luhs] / əˈnɒm ə ləs /

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.

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anomalous British  

/ əˈnɒmələs /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• anomalously adverb
• anomalousness noun

Etymology

Origin of anomalous

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

Explanation

Something that deviates from the norm is anomalous. Something anomalous can be good, such as an exciting new direction in music or art. But that anomalously low score on your math test? Not so good. To find the origins of the word anomalous we can go back to the Greek anṓmalos, meaning "uneven or irregular." Something that is anomalous is not just different; it is also unexpected, and may even be completely inconsistent with the norm. For example, the recent discovery of ice, and therefore water, on the moon was anomalous to all previous ideas that the moon was lifeless.

Example Sentences

It’s true that commodities on the whole did poorly from 2023 to 2024, but Emanuel calls that anomalous period a temporary “dip” that is now reversing.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

What is equally anomalous is that the Nixon-Kissinger conversation wasn’t about a story Mr. Hersh had broken—he has broken many—but one that he simply knew had more layers than were being exposed by other journalists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

“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.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

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

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2025

These alterations don’t make him appear more normal, however, but more anomalous, like a creature from an alien planet disguised in human clothing.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

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