regularity
gb/ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/ us/ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
B2
English
~ 8600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
property
1
the fact of happening consistently
The fact that something happens again and again in the same way or at the same times.
Usage pattern:
the regularity of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "regularity" when they should use the adjective "regular" (e.g. saying *"a regularity job"* instead of "a regular job"). Use "regularity" mainly for the *fact* or *quality* of something happening in a steady pattern ("the regularity of his calls").
Synonyms
consistency (Very close in meaning, but can also refer to being steady in quality, not only in time or pattern.)
Antonyms
irregularity (Direct opposite: something does not follow a steady pattern in time or manner.)
Collocations
with great regularity
|with surprising regularity
|the regularity of his visits
|maintain regularity
|remarkable regularity
|a pattern of regularity
Themes
time
|habits
|work
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The regularity of her morning run helped her stay healthy and focused.
- Buses do not run with enough regularity in this part of town.
- Over time, the regularity of the payments made the investment feel safe.
- Scientists tracked the regularity of the animal’s feeding habits over several months.
- He was struck by the regularity with which the same problems kept appearing.
Learner examples
- I admire the regularity of his study hours.
- The regularity of the trains makes commuting easy.
- We need more regularity in our team meetings.
- The regularity of her visits comforted the old woman.
- He noticed the regularity of the machine’s soft clicking sound.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
state of being orderly
The quality of being neat, well-ordered, or following rules or a clear pattern.
Usage pattern:
the regularity of [a system/procedure/shape]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with simple *frequency*. Here, "regularity" focuses on *order and correct procedure* (e.g. legal regularity, procedural regularity), not just how often something happens.
Synonyms
orderliness (Emphasizes neat, well-organized arrangement; "regularity" can also imply following rules or predictable patterns.)
Antonyms
disorder (Opposite in that things are not organized, not structured, and do not follow clear rules or patterns.)
Collocations
legal regularity
|procedural regularity
|the regularity of the pattern
|social regularity
|geometric regularity
|a sense of regularity
Themes
society
|law
|organization
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Inspectors were concerned about the regularity of the company’s financial procedures.
- The architect was praised for the regularity and balance of the building’s design.
- Regulations exist to ensure the regularity of elections.
- The regularity of the rows of trees gave the garden a calm, controlled feeling.
- The report questioned the regularity of the decision-making process within the board.
Learner examples
- The regularity of the system makes it easy to use.
- Teachers try to keep some regularity in classroom rules.
- The regularity of the pattern makes the design look simple and clean.
- The judge checked the regularity of the official documents.
- The regularity of the streets makes the city easy to navigate.
Noun
B2
state
3
normal, steady body function
A normal, steady pattern in how a body process works, usually talking about going to the toilet or the menstrual cycle.
Usage pattern:
[adjective] regularity (e.g. bowel regularity)
Common mistake:
Learners may use direct, informal phrases like "go to the toilet" when a more polite, medical phrase such as "improve regularity" or "support bowel regularity" is preferred in health writing and product labels.
Synonyms
normality (A broader word for being normal; "regularity" here specifically refers to healthy, steady bodily functions.)
Antonyms
constipation (Common opposite in health contexts, especially when talking about bowel regularity.)
Collocations
bowel regularity
|restore regularity
|promote regularity
|menstrual regularity
|maintain regularity
|digestive regularity
Themes
health
|medicine
|daily life
|body
Examples
- Drinking enough water can help improve bowel regularity.
- The medication is designed to restore regularity without causing cramps.
- After a few months, she noticed her menstrual regularity had returned.
- A high-fiber diet is often recommended to support digestive regularity.
- Stress and travel can easily disturb your normal regularity.
Learner examples
- Fiber in food can help with bowel regularity.
- This tea is sold to promote regularity.
- She spoke to her doctor about changes in her menstrual regularity.
- Travel sometimes affects my regularity.
- Good regularity is a sign of a healthy body.
Noun
technical
C1
property
4
structured pattern in technical sense
In science or math, a clear pattern in data, shapes, or systems that follows rules and can be described exactly.
Usage pattern:
the regularity of [data/pattern/structure]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a more technical use of "regularity" and may confuse it with everyday ideas of being "normal" or "usual" rather than a formally describable pattern.
Synonyms
uniformity (Focuses on things being the same throughout; "regularity" also implies a describable, rule-based pattern.)
Antonyms
anomaly (Refers to data points or features that break or contradict the expected regularity.)
Collocations
statistical regularity
|mathematical regularity
|spatial regularity
|structural regularity
|temporal regularity
|regularity in the data
Themes
science
|mathematics
|statistics
|technology
Examples
- The model attempts to explain the statistical regularity observed in voting behavior.
- Mathematicians study the regularity of solutions to these equations.
- We found a surprising regularity in the distribution of the particles.
- The regularity of the crystal structure gives the material its strength.
- Researchers are searching for regularity in what appears to be random noise.
Learner examples
- Scientists look for regularity in the data.
- There is a clear regularity in the shape of the crystals.
- The graph shows regularity that the theory must explain.
- The regularity of these results suggests a hidden rule.
- In statistics, regularity can help us build better models.
Grammar
Dictionary form
regularity
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
US/ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
Syllables & stress
reg - u - lar - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (lar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: regularity
- Plural: regularities, regularity
Word family
Forms
regularities
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
bowel regularity
5/bˈaʊəl ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
fixed phrase
technical
normal, steady bowel movements
A normal and steady pattern of going to the toilet to pass stool.
Examples
- The supplement is advertised as a natural way to support bowel regularity.
- Drinking more water can help improve bowel regularity.
- After the surgery, the nurse asked him about his bowel regularity.
promote regularity
3/pɹəmˈoʊt ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
fixed phrase
help something become regular
To help a body process or habit become normal and steady.
Examples
- This cereal contains fiber to promote regularity.
- Doctors often recommend exercise to promote regularity in older adults.
- The product claims to promote regularity without causing discomfort.
restore regularity
4/ɹɪstˈɔɹ ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
fixed phrase
formal
make something regular again
To make a process or situation regular again after it has been irregular or broken.
Examples
- Emergency measures were introduced to restore regularity to the train schedule.
- The treatment helped restore regularity to her menstrual cycle.
- The new rules aim to restore regularity to the company’s financial reporting.
with clockwork regularity
2/wˈɪθ klˈɑkwˌɚk ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
idiom
at very exact, predictable times
At very exact and predictable times, like a perfectly working clock.
Examples
- The bus arrived with clockwork regularity at 8:00 a.m. every day.
- Bills seemed to appear in his mailbox with clockwork regularity.
- Spam emails arrived in her inbox with clockwork regularity.
with regularity
1/wˈɪθ ɹˌɛɡjəlˈɛɹəti/
fixed phrase
formal
in a consistent, repeated way
Again and again in the same way or at the same times.
Examples
- He calls his mother with regularity, usually every Sunday evening.
- The trains arrive with regularity during rush hour.
- Complaints have been filed with regularity since the new system was introduced.