incommensurate

[ in-kuh-men-ser-it, -sher- ]

adjective

1. not commensurate; disproportionate; inadequate:

   Our income is incommensurate to our wants.

2. incommensurable.

incommensurate

/ ˌɪnkəˈmɛnʃərɪt /

adjective

1. whenpostpositive, often foll by with not commensurate; disproportionate
2. incommensurable

Derived Forms

• ˌincomˈmensurately, adverb
• ˌincomˈmensurateness, noun

Other Words From

• incom·mensu·rate·ly adverb
• incom·mensu·rate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incommensurate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; in- ³ + commensurate

Example Sentences

Our inspiration was a two-dimensional pattern known as a Penrose tiling, which is an unusual pattern that contains two different types of tiles that repeat at two incommensurate intervals.

From Nautilus

They are also plainly incommensurate with the scale of the overall problem.

From MIT Technology Review

It was incommensurate with the terrible excitement of which one was talking.

From Project Gutenberg

We do not find fault with men for being born in positions that confer powers upon them incommensurate with their rights.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack Horner, Esq., put forth some effort; and results and efforts are always more or less incommensurate.

From Project Gutenberg

The prince's gratitude seemed to me incommensurate with so small a service, and so I told him.

From Project Gutenberg

Tamely to wish a man a safe issue seemed to be a common compliment incommensurate with the occasion; and a bathos.

From Project Gutenberg