What does irregularly mean?
Irregularly means at uneven or unpredictable intervals, or in a way that departs from a usual pattern. It is commonly used with events, schedules, and activities: a bus may run irregularly, or a meeting may occur irregularly according to changing circumstances. The word can also describe a shape, arrangement, or condition that is not regular or symmetrical. In these contexts, it suggests inconsistency, unpredictability, or an exception to an established routine. Irregularly is the adverbial form of the adjective irregular and is related to the noun irregularity. It is useful when the important point is not merely that something is unusual, but that it fails to follow a consistent pattern or occurs at uneven intervals.
adverbAt uneven or irregular intervals; in a way that does not follow a consistent pattern or routine. It can also mean in an unusual or exceptional manner.
- At uneven intervals or according to an unpredictable pattern.
- In an unusual or irregular manner, especially as an exception to a usual practice.
"The train arrived irregularly, sometimes early and sometimes several hours late."
"The meeting was held irregularly, depending on the availability of senior staff."
"The coastline is irregularly shaped, with numerous small bays and inlets."
Irregularly comes from the same Latin root as regular, but adds a negative prefix to mean “not according to a rule.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irregularly come from?
The word comes from the adjective irregular, which was formed in the 16th century from the Latin irregularis, meaning “not according to a rule.” Irregularis combines the negative prefix in- with regularis, derived from regula, meaning “rule” or “pattern.” The related English words rule, ruler, regular, and regularity descend from the same Latin root. The adverb irregularly was formed from irregular and has been used in English since the early 17th century.
Related word forms
How irregularly is actually used
The adverb is commonly used for events, schedules, distributions, and other patterns that do not follow a regular timetable or arrangement. It can also describe an unusual or exceptional action, as in “the material was irregularly shaped.”