irregular
gb/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ/ us/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ/
A2
English
~ 5000
szabálytalan, rendszertelen, rendhagyó, irreguláris harcos, különc
B1
1
szabálytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is irregular
The table has an irregular shape that makes it unique.
Az asztal szabálytalan formája teszi egyedivé.
He suffers from an irregular heartbeat that needs monitoring.
Szabálytalan szívverése van, amelyet figyelemmel kell kísérni.
Bus service can be irregular in rural areas.
The stones were placed in an irregular pattern.
Her breathing became irregular after the accident.
Learner examples
The plate has an irregular edge.
A tányérnak szabálytalan a széle.
My sleep is irregular on weekends.
Hétvégén rendszertelen az alvásom.
The train times are irregular here.
His heart rate is irregular.
The wall has an irregular surface.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'irregular' with 'illegal'. 'Irregular' means not normal or uneven; 'illegal' means against the law.
Meaning
not regular or even
Collocations
irregular shape
|irregular heartbeat
|irregular schedule
|irregular pattern
Synonyms
uneven (Describes something not level or consistent in surface or distribution.)
|
inconsistent (Emphasizes lack of uniformity over time or between instances.)
Antonyms
regular (Follows a consistent pattern or schedule.)
|
even (Level and uniform in surface or distribution.)
Themes
description
|time
|appearance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not having the same shape, size, time, or way each time.
Not conforming to a consistent, uniform, or expected form, arrangement, or schedule.
A2
TECHNICAL
2
rendhagyó
B2
szabálytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
[word] is irregular
'Go' is an irregular verb; its past tense is 'went'.
A „go” rendhagyó ige; a múlt idejű alakja a „went”.
Some nouns have irregular plurals like 'children'.
Egyes főneveknek rendhagyó többes száma van, például a „children”.
The teacher explained the list of irregular verbs to the class.
Learner examples
'Eat' is an irregular verb.
Az „eat” rendhagyó ige.
'Man' has an irregular plural: 'men'.
A „man” többes száma rendhagyó: „men”.
We learn many irregular verbs in English.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'irregular' with 'wrong' in grammar. An irregular form is correct but does not follow the normal pattern.
Meaning
not following grammar rules
Collocations
irregular verb
|irregular plural
|irregular form
Synonyms
exceptional (In grammar, deviates from the standard rule.)
Antonyms
regular (Follows the standard grammatical rules.)
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Definition
In grammar, changing form in a way that is not the usual rule.
In grammar, not following the usual patterns of inflection, such as forming past tense or plural in an atypical way.
NOUN
B2
3
különc
B2
The rebels fought as irregulars against the main army.
A lázadók irreguláris harcosként küzdöttek a reguláris hadsereg ellen.
He was considered an irregular in the world of professional sports.
A profi sport világában különcnek számított.
The police suspected the work was done by armed irregulars.
Learner examples
The irregulars attacked at night.
Az irreguláris harcosok éjszaka támadtak.
He joined a group of irregulars.
Csatlakozott egy irreguláris harcosokból álló csoporthoz.
Irregulars fought against the army.
Meaning
person or thing not regular
Collocations
armed irregulars
|military irregulars
Synonyms
nonconformist (A person who does not follow traditional rules or customs.)
Antonyms
regular (A person or thing following standard rules or belonging to the official group.)
Themes
military
|description
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
A person or thing that is different from what is usual; sometimes a soldier not in the main army.
A person or thing that does not follow expected rules, patterns, or standards; often used for soldiers not part of a regular army.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irregular
IPA
GB/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ/
US/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ/
Syllables & stress
ir - reg - u - lar (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (reg)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: irregular
Noun
- Base: irregular
- Plural: irregulars
Word family
Forms
irregulars
noun
Core family
irregularly
adverb
Related words
irregularity
noun C1
regularly
adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
regular
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
regularity
noun B2
regularize
verb
Expressions
irregular heartbeat
1/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ hˈɑɹtbˌit/
fixed phrase
abnormal heart rhythm
When your heart does not beat in a regular way.
Examples
- The doctor diagnosed her with an irregular heartbeat.
- Stress can sometimes cause an irregular heartbeat.
irregular shape
1/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ ʃˈeɪp/
fixed phrase
uneven or asymmetrical shape
A shape that is not even on all sides or does not have equal parts.
Examples
- The island has an irregular shape when seen from above.
- She cut the bread into irregular shapes.
irregular verb
1/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ vˈɚb/
fixed phrase
verb with nonstandard past forms
A verb that does not make its past tense or past participle with the normal "-ed" ending, for example "go–went–gone".
Examples
- Children often make mistakes with irregular verbs like "go" and "come".
- Study the list of irregular verbs before the test.
- In this lesson we will practice the past forms of irregular verbs.
irregular verb
2/ɪɹˈɛɡjʊlɚ vˈɚb/
fixed phrase
technical
verb with unusual forms
A verb that changes form in a way that does not follow the normal rule.
Examples
- 'Go' is an irregular verb; its past tense is 'went'.
- Students often find it hard to remember all the irregular verbs.