incongruity
gb/ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/ us/ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
C1
English
ellentmondás, inkongruencia, oda nem illő elem, komikus ellentét
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
ellentmondás
B2
Usage pattern:
incongruity between [thing A] and [thing B]; incongruity in [something]
There was an incongruity between his cheerful words and his tense expression.
Ellentmondás volt a derűs szavai és a feszült arckifejezése között.
The report notes an incongruity in the data collected from the two surveys.
A jelentés ellentmondást jelez a két felmérésből származó adatok között.
She couldn’t ignore the incongruity of praising transparency while refusing to answer basic questions.
Learner examples
I noticed an incongruity between the picture and the caption.
Ellentmondást vettem észre a kép és a képaláírás között.
There is an incongruity in his story.
Ellentmondás van a történetében.
Common mistake:
Often confused with 'inconvenience' (a small problem) or 'inconclusive' (not certain).
Meaning
lack of fit or consistency
Collocations
an incongruity between
|a striking incongruity
|a glaring incongruity
|a subtle incongruity
|a sense of incongruity
|the incongruity of
|point out the incongruity
|highlight the incongruity
|notice the incongruity
|resolve the incongruity
Synonyms
incompatibility (Emphasizes that two things cannot work well together.)
|
mismatch (More everyday; focuses on things not matching.)
|
inconsistency (Often about ideas, statements, or behavior not being consistent.)
Antonyms
consistency (Ideas or parts fit together logically.)
|
harmony (Things match and feel appropriate together.)
|
congruity (Direct opposite: appropriateness and fit.)
Themes
communication
|writing
|analysis
Definition
a situation where things do not match or do not seem right together
the fact of not being in harmony or agreement, especially when two things do not match or do not make sense together
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
an incongruity in [something]
The only incongruity in the photo was a modern streetlight behind the medieval castle.
A fotón az egyetlen oda nem illő elem a középkori vár mögött álló modern utcai lámpa volt.
A single word choice was an incongruity in an otherwise formal speech.
Az egyébként formális beszédben egyetlen szóhasználat számított oda nem illő elemnek.
The editor removed a few incongruities that distracted from the story.
Learner examples
The red chair is an incongruity in this white room.
A piros szék oda nem illő elem ebben a fehér szobában.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it for any 'strange thing'; it usually implies a contrast with what should fit.
Meaning
something that seems out of place
Collocations
a small incongruity
|a minor incongruity
|an obvious incongruity
|an incongruity in the scene
|an incongruity in the design
|spot an incongruity
|notice an incongruity
|remove the incongruity
Synonyms
anomaly (Often suggests a deviation from a pattern or rule.)
|
oddity (Less formal; focuses on something unusual.)
|
irregularity (Often used for processes, records, or official matters.)
Antonyms
fit (Everything looks appropriate and belongs.)
|
uniformity (Parts are consistent and similar throughout.)
Themes
daily_life
|art
|writing
Definition
an odd thing that does not belong in a situation
a thing, detail, or feature that does not fit with its surroundings or with what is expected
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
the incongruity of [something]; incongruity in [something]
The comedy relies on the incongruity of a tough detective trapped in a children’s TV show.
A vígjáték arra a komikus ellentétre épül, hogy egy kemény nyomozó egy gyerekműsorban reked.
Much of the satire works by exaggerating social incongruities until they become funny.
A szatíra nagyrészt úgy működik, hogy eltúlozza a társadalmi inkongruenciákat, míg azok nevetségessé nem válnak.
Viewers laughed at the incongruity of the grand music playing over such an ordinary scene.
Learner examples
The joke is funny because of the incongruity.
A vicc az inkongruencia miatt vicces.
Meaning
unexpected contrast that is funny
Collocations
comic incongruity
|the humor comes from incongruity
|play on incongruity
|create incongruity
|an incongruity effect
|the incongruity of the situation
Synonyms
absurdity (Stronger; suggests something is irrational or ridiculous.)
|
comic contrast (Highlights the humorous side of the difference.)
Antonyms
seriousness (No playful or humorous effect.)
Themes
humor
|media
|art
Definition
a funny difference because things don’t fit together
a mismatch or contrast that seems absurd or amusing, often because it breaks normal expectations
Grammar
Dictionary form
incongruity
IPA
GB/ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
US/ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
Syllables & stress
in - con - gru - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (gru)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: incongruity
- Plural: incongruities, incongruity
Word family
Forms
incongruities
noun
Core family
incongruous
adjective C1
incongruously
adverb C1
Related words
congruent
adjective
congruence
noun
incongruence
noun
Negative and opposite forms
incongruent
adjective
Advanced or less common
congruity
noun
congruous
adjective
Expressions
a glaring incongruity
1/ə ɡlˈɛɹɪŋ ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
very obvious mismatch
a mismatch that is easy to see
Examples
- There’s a glaring incongruity in the timeline: he can’t be in two cities at once.
- The reviewer pointed out a glaring incongruity between the brand’s message and its practices.
- In the final chapter, a glaring incongruity undermines the plot.
Learner examples
- There is a glaring incongruity in his story.
a sense of incongruity
1/ə sˈɛns əv ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
feeling that something doesn’t fit
a feeling that something is not right together
Examples
- I had a sense of incongruity as soon as I walked into the meeting.
- Her smile created a sense of incongruity during the serious announcement.
- The lighting gives the scene a sense of incongruity that makes it unsettling.
Learner examples
- I had a sense of incongruity in the room.
comic incongruity
1/kˈɑmɪk ˌɪŋkɔŋɹˈuɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
humor from a mismatch
humor because things don’t match
Examples
- The sketch depends on comic incongruity: a king arguing over fast-food coupons.
- The director uses comic incongruity to keep the tone light even in tense scenes.
- A sudden costume change adds comic incongruity to the performance.