What does disjointedness mean?
Disjointedness is the abstract noun describing a lack of connection, order, or smooth flow among the parts of something. It is applied most often to language and narrative — a disjointedness of style, argument, or plot — but also to experiences and events, as when someone describes the disjointedness of a disrupted life. Because it derives ultimately from the Latin iungere, 'to join', the word literally evokes something whose joints have come apart. Disjointedness is a formal, largely written word, common in literary criticism, reviews, and analytical prose, and it typically carries a negative judgment: the thing described is expected to be unified or fluent but is not. Its everyday work is usually done by the adjective 'disjointed', while the noun itself lends precision when a writer wants to name the quality itself rather than describe a particular instance of it.
nounThe quality or state of lacking coherence, order, or connection between parts; the condition of being disjointed.
- The quality of lacking coherent connection or smooth flow between parts, as of speech, writing, thought, or events.
- A feeling of disconnection or estrangement experienced by a person or group.
"The essay's disjointedness made it difficult to follow the author's central argument."
"Critics noted the disjointedness of the film's second half, where scenes seemed stitched together at random."
"After moving between three countries in two years, she described a persistent sense of disjointedness in her life."
Extremely rare and generally avoided; the noun is used almost exclusively as an uncountable mass noun.
"The editor smoothed out the disjointednesses across the manuscript's chapters."
Behind every 'disjointed' sentence lies a hidden skeleton: the word traces back to Latin 'iungere', to join — so a disjointed argument is literally one whose joints have come apart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disjointedness
Disjointedness is formed within English by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to 'disjointed', the past participle of the verb 'disjoin'. That verb comes from Old French 'desjoindre', from Late Latin 'disiungere', formed from Latin 'dis-' (apart) plus 'iungere' (to join), the same root that gives English 'join', 'junction', 'conjugate', and 'yoke' via related Germanic borrowing. The compound has been available since the verb entered English in the late Middle Ages, with '-ness' abstractions like this becoming fully productive in Early Modern English.
Related word forms
How disjointedness is actually used
Disjointedness is an abstract noun and is somewhat formal; it appears chiefly in criticism, academic writing, and reflective prose. The adjective 'disjointed' is far more common in everyday speech. It carries a mildly negative connotation, implying that greater unity or flow is expected or desired.
Easily confused with disjointedness
Disjointedness refers to a lack of logical or structural connection among parts, while dislocation refers to the act of putting something out of its usual place, especially a bone from a joint.