irregular

/i'regjulə/
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irregular

Walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Not following a standard pattern, rule, or schedule; not even or balanced in shape or arrangement: Describes something that lacks uniformity, consistency, or symmetry.
    • Not conforming to established rules, norms, or customs: Describes behavior, practices, or things that deviate from what is usual, accepted, or regular.
    • Not belonging to or part of an official or organized group, especially a military force: Describes troops or warfare not part of a country's official, standing army.
    • (Of a word) not inflected according to the usual rules: In grammar, describes a verb, noun, etc., that does not follow the standard patterns of conjugation or declension.

  2. Noun:

    • A product that is flawed or imperfect, often sold at a lower price: Merchandise that does not meet the manufacturer's quality standards.
    • A soldier who is not a member of an official, regular army: A member of an unofficial or guerrilla military force.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • The coastline was rugged and irregular. (The shape of the coastline was not smooth or uniform.)
    • He has an irregular work schedule, so his hours change every week. (His work schedule does not follow a fixed, predictable pattern.)
    • "Go," "went," and "gone" are the principal parts of the irregular verb "to go." (The verb "go" does not form its past tense by adding "-ed".)
    • The investigation uncovered irregular financial practices. (The financial practices did not conform to accepted rules or standards.)

  • Noun:

    • The store sells irregulars—jeans with minor flaws—at a discount. (The jeans are sold cheaply because they are imperfect.)
    • The regular army was supported by irregulars familiar with the mountainous terrain. (The unofficial fighters assisted the official soldiers.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Irregular heartbeat" (medical): A heartbeat that is not steady or rhythmic.
    • The patient was admitted to the hospital with an irregular heartbeat.
  • "Highly irregular" (idiomatic): Used to strongly emphasize that something is very unusual and against the rules or norms.
    • The judge said the prosecutor's actions were highly irregular and warranted a review.
Variants and Related Words
  • Irregularity (n): The state or quality of being irregular; an instance of something that is irregular.
    • The irregularity of the stone wall gave it a rustic charm.
    • The audit found several financial irregularities.
  • Irregularly (adv): In an irregular manner.
    • The buses run irregularly on weekends.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Uneven, erratic, inconsistent, atypical, abnormal, unconventional, anomalous, guerrilla (for military).
  • Noun: Second, imperfect, guerrilla, partisan.
Antonyms
  • Adjective: Regular, even, consistent, normal, standard, symmetrical, conventional.
Related Phrases
  • Irregular warfare: Military conflict involving non-state actors, guerrilla tactics, and asymmetric strategies, as opposed to conventional warfare between regular armies.
  • Irregular verb: In grammar, a verb that does not follow the standard rules for forming its past tense and past participle (e.g., sing/sang/sung, not sing/singed).
irregular

Walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface.

Adjective
  1. independent in behavior or thought
    • she led a somewhat irregular private life
    • maverick politicians
  2. (of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical
    • walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface
  3. lacking continuity or regularity
    • an irregular worker
    • employed on a temporary basis
  4. deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal
    • these days large families are atypical
    • atypical clinical findings
    • atypical pneumonia
    • highly irregular behavior
  5. falling below the manufacturer's standard
    • irregular jeans
  6. (of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement
  7. (used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces
    • irregular troops
    • irregular warfare
  8. not occurring at expected times
  9. contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
    • irregular hiring practices
Noun
  1. merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
  2. a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment

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