irregular

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​reg·​u·​lar i-ˈre-gyə-lər 

ˌi(r)-

1

a

: not being or acting in accord with laws, rules, or established custom

irregular conduct

b

: not conforming to the usual pattern of inflection

irregular verbs

specifically : strong sense 16

c

: not following a usual or prescribed procedure

especially, British : celebrated without either proclamation of the banns or publication of intention to marry

irregular marriage

2

: not belonging to or a part of a regular organized group

specifically : not belonging to a regular army but raised for a special purpose

irregular troops

3

a

: lacking perfect symmetry or evenness

an irregular coastline

b

: having one or more floral parts of the same whorl different in size, shape, or arrangement

specifically : zygomorphic

4

: lacking continuity or regularity especially of occurrence or activity

irregular employment

irregularly adverb

irregular

2 of 2

noun

: one that is irregular: such as

a

: a soldier who is not a member of a regular military force

b

irregulars plural : merchandise that has minor defects or that falls next below the manufacturer's standard for firsts

Synonyms

Adjective

• aberrant
• aberrational
• abnormal
• anomalous
• atypical
• deviant
• deviate
• devious
• unnatural
• untypical

Choose the Right Synonym for irregular

irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming to rule, law, or custom.

irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct.

concerned about his irregular behavior

anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence.

her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization

unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society.

prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

Examples of irregular in a Sentence

Adjective

His behavior as a teacher was highly irregular.

Her application was handled in an irregular manner.

a very jagged, irregular surface

The stone has an irregular shape.

He has a very irregular schedule.

The festival has been held at irregular intervals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This folding and physical change then produces the irregular geometric patterns in the head scales as the crocodile grows in a distinctly different way. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024

Common symptoms include irregular periods, weight gain, extra hair growth, and emotional challenges. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 8 Dec. 2024

Noun

In a word, even before yesterday, Donbas was well on its way to becoming Ukraine’s Bosnia -- with Putin playing the part of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, Russia playing the part of Serbia, and Putin’s Donbas supporters playing the part of Bosnian Serb irregulars. —Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2014

But when strong-arm tactics by security irregulars failed to suppress the massive demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the senior officer corps, who regarded themselves foremost as guardians of the first Egyptian revolution, sent Mubarak into retirement. —Robert H. Pelletreau, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2011

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English irreguler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin irregularis not in accordance with rule, from Latin in- + regularis regular

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irregular

1 of 2 adjective

ir·​reg·​u·​lar (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər 

1

a

: not following custom or rule

b

: not belonging to a recognized or organized body

irregular troops

2

a

: not following the normal or usual manner of inflection

the irregular verb "sell"

b

: strong sense 12

the irregular verb "write"

3

a

: having one or more like parts unequal in size, form, or the way they are arranged

irregular flowers

b

: uneven

4

: not continuous or regular in occurrence

at irregular intervals

irregularly adverb

irregular

2 of 2 noun

1

: an irregular soldier

2

: merchandise that is slightly imperfect

Medical Definition

irregular

adjective

ir·​reg·​u·​lar (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər 

1

: lacking perfect symmetry of form : not straight, smooth, even, or regular

irregular teeth

2

a

: lacking continuity or regularity of occurrence, activity, or function

irregular breathing

b

of a physiological function : failing to occur at regular or normal intervals

irregular menstruation

have your bowels been irregular

c

of an individual : failing to defecate at regular or normal intervals

was constipated and very irregular

irregularly adverb

Legal Definition

irregular

adjective

ir·​reg·​u·​lar ir-ˈre-gyə-lər 

: not in accord with laws, rules, procedures, or established custom

irregularly adverb