ir·reg·u·lar
i-ˈre-gyə-lər 
ˌi(r)-
1
a
: not being or acting in accord with laws, rules, or established custom
irregular conduct
b
: not conforming to the usual pattern of inflection
irregular verbs
specifically
: strong sense 16
c
: not following a usual or prescribed procedure
especially, British
: celebrated without either proclamation of the banns or publication of intention to marry
irregular marriage
2
: not belonging to or a part of a regular organized group
specifically
: not belonging to a regular army but raised for a special purpose
irregular troops
3
a
: lacking perfect symmetry or evenness
an irregular coastline
b
: having one or more floral parts of the same whorl different in size, shape, or arrangement
specifically
: zygomorphic
4
: lacking continuity or regularity especially of occurrence or activity
irregular employment
irregularly
adverb
: one that is irregular: such as
a
: a soldier who is not a member of a regular military force
b
irregulars plural
: merchandise that has minor defects or that falls next below the manufacturer's standard for firsts
Synonyms
Examples of irregular in a Sentence
Adjective
His behavior as a teacher was highly irregular.
Her application was handled in an irregular manner.
a very jagged, irregular surface
The stone has an irregular shape.
He has a very irregular schedule.
The festival has been held at irregular intervals.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
For example, taking high doses of folate can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, while taking high doses of magnesium can lead to GI upset, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Scar tissue from his last surgery caused an irregular heartbeat, which was told to monitor, Schwarzenegger said.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Science sleuths sometimes examine these images for irregular patterns that could indicate errors, duplications or manipulations.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
However, this can also depend on your menstrual cycle because while most people ovulate 10 to 14 days before their menses, some are irregular.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 30 Mar. 2024
In addition there’s St. Vincent de Paul, a member of the Society of St. Pius X, which is considered canonically irregular by the Vatican.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
However, the Homeland Security spokesperson said that irregular migration in the Caribbean remains low.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes The Miami Herald (tns), arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The irregular heartbeat was attributed to scar tissue from the previous surgeries.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2014
But when strong-arm tactics by security irregulars failed to suppress the massive demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the senior officer corps, who regarded themselves foremost as guardians of the first Egyptian revolution, sent Mubarak into retirement.
—Robert H. Pelletreau, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2011
As fighting raged in 1948 between Arab armies, Palestinian irregulars and Zionist forces, Mariam and her family fled to a Palestinian farming village, Umm al-Fahem.
—Isabel Kershner, BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2023
As volunteer companies were raised to drive out the Mexican forces — who were occupying their own country — some of the irregulars were joined by free black men.
—Paula Allen, ExpressNews.com, 15 Feb. 2020
Turkish troops then began shelling Kurdish towns in Syria, and Turkish forces pushed forward, irregulars executing people in ditches along the road.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2019
Pakistani irregulars invaded, India intervened, and the two countries fought to a stalemate.
—Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019
Somehow the regulars don’t seem to mind all the irregulars who come to gawk.
—Joshua Levine, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2019
Instead imagine high-tech mobs, an intifada with stones and drones, locals and irregulars in improvised warfare with the feds.
—Lance Morrow, WSJ, 6 July 2018
Adjective
The job requires lifting items and patients who weigh up to 35 pounds without assistance and working irregular hours.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
For example, taking high doses of folate can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, while taking high doses of magnesium can lead to GI upset, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Scar tissue from his last surgery caused an irregular heartbeat, which was told to monitor, Schwarzenegger said.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Science sleuths sometimes examine these images for irregular patterns that could indicate errors, duplications or manipulations.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
However, this can also depend on your menstrual cycle because while most people ovulate 10 to 14 days before their menses, some are irregular.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 30 Mar. 2024
In addition there’s St. Vincent de Paul, a member of the Society of St. Pius X, which is considered canonically irregular by the Vatican.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
However, the Homeland Security spokesperson said that irregular migration in the Caribbean remains low.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes The Miami Herald (tns), arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The irregular heartbeat was attributed to scar tissue from the previous surgeries.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
In a word, even before yesterday, Donbas was well on its way to becoming Ukraine’s Bosnia -- with Putin playing the part of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, Russia playing the part of Serbia, and Putin’s Donbas supporters playing the part of Bosnian Serb irregulars.
—Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2014
But when strong-arm tactics by security irregulars failed to suppress the massive demonstrations in Tahrir Square, the senior officer corps, who regarded themselves foremost as guardians of the first Egyptian revolution, sent Mubarak into retirement.
—Robert H. Pelletreau, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2011
As fighting raged in 1948 between Arab armies, Palestinian irregulars and Zionist forces, Mariam and her family fled to a Palestinian farming village, Umm al-Fahem.
—Isabel Kershner, BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2023
As volunteer companies were raised to drive out the Mexican forces — who were occupying their own country — some of the irregulars were joined by free black men.
—Paula Allen, ExpressNews.com, 15 Feb. 2020
Turkish troops then began shelling Kurdish towns in Syria, and Turkish forces pushed forward, irregulars executing people in ditches along the road.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2019
Pakistani irregulars invaded, India intervened, and the two countries fought to a stalemate.
—Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2019
Somehow the regulars don’t seem to mind all the irregulars who come to gawk.
—Joshua Levine, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2019
Instead imagine high-tech mobs, an intifada with stones and drones, locals and irregulars in improvised warfare with the feds.
—Lance Morrow, WSJ, 6 July 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irregular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irregular. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
irregular
1 of 2 adjective
ir·reg·u·lar
(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər
1
a
: not following custom or rule
b
: not belonging to a recognized or organized body
irregular troops
2
a
: not following the normal or usual manner of inflection
the irregular verb "sell"
b
: strong sense 12
the irregular verb "write"
3
a
: having one or more like parts unequal in size, form, or the way they are arranged
irregular flowers
b
: uneven
4
: not continuous or regular in occurrence
at irregular intervals
irregularly
adverb
irregular
2 of 2 noun1
: an irregular soldier
2
: merchandise that is slightly imperfect
Medical Definition
irregular
adjective
ir·reg·u·lar
(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər
1
: lacking perfect symmetry of form : not straight, smooth, even, or regular
irregular teeth
2
a
: lacking continuity or regularity of occurrence, activity, or function
irregular breathing
b
of a physiological function
: failing to occur at regular or normal intervals
irregular menstruation
have your bowels been irregular
c
of an individual
: failing to defecate at regular or normal intervals
was constipated and very irregular
irregularly
adverb
Legal Definition
irregular
adjective
ir·reg·u·lar
ir-ˈre-gyə-lər
: not in accord with laws, rules, procedures, or established custom
irregularly
adverb
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