What does irregularity mean?
Irregularity means a departure from what is regular, uniform, or expected. It can refer to a noticeable feature that breaks an otherwise consistent pattern, such as an unusual mark in a document, an inconsistency in data, or an exception in a system. The word is common in formal contexts involving law, science, administration, finance, and the analysis of patterns, although it is also used in ordinary conversation to describe something unusual. Its connotation depends on context: a minor irregularity may be harmless, while an irregularity in an election or official record may suggest misconduct or error. Irregularity is related in meaning to abnormality, anomaly, inconsistency, and deviation, but it more directly emphasizes the failure of regularity rather than abnormality in general.
nounA departure from what is regular, uniform, or expected; an anomaly or inconsistency.
- A deviation from a regular pattern, standard, or expected arrangement.
- An unusual feature, exception, or inconsistency in a system or situation.
"The investigators noticed a small irregularity in the pattern of the data."
"A minor irregularity in the records delayed the audit."
"The election official described the irregularity as a clerical error rather than a deliberate violation."
The standard plural form of irregularity.
"The auditors discovered several irregularities in the accounts."
An irregularity is often the clue that a supposedly perfect pattern has a missing piece.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irregularity come from?
The word was formed in English during the early modern period by adding the suffix -ity to irregular. Irregular came through French irrégulier from Latin irregularis, formed from regularis with the prefix in-, meaning “not.” The suffix -ity is an abstract-noun-forming element borrowed through French -ité and ultimately connected with Latin -itas. The same Latin root associated with rule and order is reflected in related forms such as regular, regularity, and regulation.
Related word forms
How irregularity is actually used
Formal and generally neutral. It is used for departures from regularity in patterns, systems, behavior, and natural features, and may suggest either a harmless exception or a fault requiring investigation.
Easily confused with irregularity
Irregularity is the noun for a departure from regularity, whereas irregular is primarily the adjective meaning “not regular.”