irregularity
gb/ɪɹˌɛɡjʊlˈɛɹəti/ us/ɪɹˌɛɡjʊlˈɛɹəti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
entity
1
Unusual deviation from a pattern
something that is different from the usual or expected pattern.
Usage pattern:
an irregularity in [something]; irregularities in [a pattern/data/process]
Common mistake:
Do not use irregularity simply to mean “not often”; use infrequency or irregular occurrence instead.
Synonyms
anomaly (often slightly more technical; emphasizes something unusual or hard to explain.)
|
deviation (emphasizes movement away from a standard or expected pattern.)
|
inconsistency (emphasizes a lack of agreement or uniformity between things.)
Antonyms
regularity (the state of following a normal or consistent pattern.)
|
normality (the condition of being usual or expected.)
|
consistency (steady agreement with a pattern or standard.)
Collocations
detect an irregularity
|spot an irregularity
|notice an irregularity
|minor irregularity
|apparent irregularity
|data irregularity
|statistical irregularity
|pattern irregularity
|report an irregularity
Themes
general
|analysis
|problems
Examples
- The software flagged an irregularity in the sensor data.
- Investigators noticed several small irregularities in the timeline.
- Any irregularity in the pattern should be checked before the results are published.
Learner examples
- The nurse saw an irregularity in the test result.
- There is a small irregularity in the numbers.
Noun
formal
C1
event
2
Rule or procedure problem
a problem where rules or correct procedures were not followed.
Usage pattern:
irregularities in [records/elections/procedures]; [financial/accounting/voting] irregularities
Common mistake:
In news and business contexts, irregularities is often plural and may imply possible wrongdoing, not just a small mistake.
Synonyms
violation (stronger; clearly says a rule or law was broken.)
|
breach (common in legal and business contexts; emphasizes breaking an obligation.)
|
impropriety (formal; suggests improper or unethical behavior.)
|
discrepancy (emphasizes a mismatch in records or information, not necessarily wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
compliance (following rules, laws, or requirements.)
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regularity (proper conformity to rules or procedure.)
|
propriety (correct and acceptable behavior, especially formally.)
Collocations
financial irregularities
|accounting irregularities
|voting irregularities
|election irregularities
|procedural irregularity
|serious irregularities
|alleged irregularities
|investigate irregularities
|uncover irregularities
|audit irregularities
Themes
law
|business
|politics
|finance
|administration
Examples
- The audit found serious accounting irregularities at the company.
- Observers reported voting irregularities in several districts.
- The contract award was delayed because of a procedural irregularity.
Learner examples
- The report found financial irregularities.
- Officials investigated irregularities in the election.
Noun
C1
property
3
Lack of regular pattern
the fact that something does not happen or continue in a regular way.
Usage pattern:
the irregularity of [something]; irregularity in [timing/schedules/supply]
Common mistake:
Irregularity is usually more formal than everyday phrases such as not regular or not consistent.
Synonyms
inconsistency (emphasizes variation from one time or case to another.)
|
unevenness (emphasizes an unsteady or unequal pattern.)
|
unpredictability (emphasizes that something is hard to predict.)
Antonyms
regularity (a steady and predictable pattern.)
|
consistency (little variation over time or across cases.)
|
predictability (the quality of being easy to expect or forecast.)
Collocations
irregularity of service
|irregularity of attendance
|irregularity of supply
|irregularity in schedules
|irregularity in delivery times
|seasonal irregularity
|sleep irregularity
|reduce irregularity
Themes
time
|schedules
|patterns
|daily_life
Examples
- The irregularity of the train service made commuting difficult.
- She was worried about the irregularity of her sleep schedule.
- The company tried to reduce irregularity in delivery times.
Learner examples
- The irregularity of the buses is frustrating.
- He dislikes the irregularity of his work hours.
Noun
C1
property
4
Uneven surface or shape
an uneven or imperfect place on a surface or in a shape.
Usage pattern:
irregularities in/on [a surface/object]; surface irregularities
Common mistake:
For a very visible mark on skin or fabric, blemish, mark, or flaw may sound more natural than irregularity.
Synonyms
unevenness (emphasizes lack of smoothness or levelness.)
|
imperfection (emphasizes that something is not perfect.)
|
flaw (often suggests a defect that reduces quality.)
|
blemish (commonly used for small marks on skin or surfaces.)
Antonyms
smoothness (absence of rough or uneven areas.)
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evenness (a level, regular surface or shape.)
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uniformity (sameness in form, texture, or appearance.)
Collocations
surface irregularities
|skin irregularities
|tiny irregularities
|visible irregularities
|structural irregularity
|edge irregularity
|shape irregularity
|remove irregularities
|smooth out irregularities
Themes
objects
|materials
|design
|appearance
Examples
- The painter sanded the wall to remove surface irregularities.
- Tiny irregularities in the glass can distort the image.
- The handmade tiles have slight irregularities that give them character.
Learner examples
- The table has a small irregularity on one edge.
- The machine checks the metal for surface irregularities.
Noun
technical
C1
state
5
Abnormal body rhythm or cycle
a change in the normal timing or rhythm of something in the body.
Usage pattern:
[heart rhythm/menstrual] irregularity; an irregularity in [a heartbeat/cycle]
Common mistake:
For heartbeat problems, arrhythmia is the specific medical term; irregularity is broader and less precise.
Synonyms
abnormality (broad medical term for something outside the normal range.)
|
arrhythmia (specific technical term for an abnormal heart rhythm.)
|
disruption (emphasizes interruption of the normal pattern.)
Antonyms
normal rhythm (a usual, healthy rhythm, especially of the heart.)
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regular cycle (a body cycle that follows an expected timing pattern.)
|
regularity (normal steadiness or predictability of a body function.)
Collocations
heart rhythm irregularity
|heartbeat irregularity
|menstrual irregularity
|cycle irregularity
|pulse irregularity
|rhythm irregularities
|detect an irregularity
|monitor an irregularity
|mild irregularity
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- The monitor detected a heart rhythm irregularity.
- Menstrual irregularities are common after major stress or weight changes.
- Talk to a doctor if you notice an irregularity in your heartbeat.
Learner examples
- The doctor found an irregularity in her heartbeat.
- Stress can cause cycle irregularities.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
6
Exception in language patterns
a word or form that does not follow the usual grammar, spelling, or pronunciation pattern.
Usage pattern:
irregularities in [spelling/grammar/pronunciation]; [verb/plural] irregularities
Common mistake:
Do not confuse irregularity with irregular verb; an irregularity can be any exception in spelling, grammar, or pronunciation.
Synonyms
exception (the most general term for something that does not follow a rule.)
|
anomaly (more formal; emphasizes an unusual form in a system.)
|
irregular form (specific term for a language form that does not follow the normal pattern.)
Antonyms
regular form (a language form that follows the normal pattern.)
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regularity (conformity to a language pattern or rule.)
|
pattern (the normal model that regular forms follow.)
Collocations
spelling irregularities
|pronunciation irregularities
|verb irregularities
|grammatical irregularity
|plural irregularity
|morphological irregularity
|language irregularities
|learn irregularities
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
Examples
- English spelling is full of irregularities.
- Children often memorize verb irregularities one by one.
- The lesson focused on irregularities in plural noun forms.
Learner examples
- There are many spelling irregularities in English.
- We learned some verb irregularities today.
Grammar
Dictionary form
irregularity
IPA
GB/ɪɹˌɛɡjʊlˈɛɹəti/
US/ɪɹˌɛɡjʊlˈɛɹəti/
Syllables & stress
ir - reg - u - lar - ity (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (lar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: irregularity
- Plural: irregularities, irregularity
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.