irregular

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​reg·​u·​lar i-ˈre-gyə-lər How to pronounce irregular (audio)
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

irregular

2 of 2

noun

: 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
Choose the Right Synonym for irregular

irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming to rule, law, or custom.

irregular implies not conforming to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity in method, practice, or conduct.

concerned about his irregular behavior

anomalous implies not conforming to what might be expected because of the class or type to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence.

her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization

unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized society.

prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty

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
Adjective
Galaxy types: 101 There are three main types of galaxies: elliptical, spiral and irregular. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 When those movements follow irregular or abnormal patterns, the system alerts scientists that something is amiss. MORE FOR YOU A typical installation includes 16 mollusks, each fitted with a tiny sensor complete with a battery that has years of available power. John Koetsier, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The interior has a 1980s vibe imbued by pastel colors throughout and irregular shaped, mirrored surfaces. Christopher King, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 That’s in part due to their irregular size, safety concerns that non-sterile elements could spread disease, and because they are often composed of materials that can’t be processed together. Ted Alcorn, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Women who are vegetarian or vegan or who experience heavy or irregular menstrual cycles may be at higher risk for iron deficiency going into pregnancy. Casey Seiden, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024 Yet industry representatives and government scientists have a long history of dismissing Indigenous knowledge and making decisions based on sparse environmental data collected during irregular, short-term studies. Hannah Hoag, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 The artists taking up a 41-day exhibit inside the arena are trying to emulate the same effect with mixed and irregular results. Jannelle Moore, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024 Rosenthal’s translation draws out these poems’ shades of melancholy and whimsy, along with the slant and irregular rhymes that contribute to their uncanny humor. The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English irreguler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin irregularis not in accordance with rule, from Latin in- + regularis regular

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irregular was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near irregular

Cite this Entry

“Irregular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irregular. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

irregular

1 of 2 adjective
ir·​reg·​u·​lar (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər How to pronounce irregular (audio)
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 noun
1
: an irregular soldier
2
: merchandise that is slightly imperfect

Medical Definition

irregular

adjective
ir·​reg·​u·​lar (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)eg-yə-lər How to pronounce irregular (audio)
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 How to pronounce irregular (audio)
: not in accord with laws, rules, procedures, or established custom
irregularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irregular

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