irregular
Other forms: irregulars
Irregular describes something that's unpredictable or uneven. If your dog has irregular spots, it means that she has random splotches of color scattered across her fur.
Anything that doesn't have a pattern or schedule is irregular, like the irregular hours of a store that's only open when the owner feels like it. In grammar, an irregular part of speech is one that doesn't stick to the usual rules. Irregular can also describe something doesn't meet standards, like irregular clothing that's sold at a discount. Irregular originally meant "not in conformity with Church rules."
Definitions of irregular
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(of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical“walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface”
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Synonyms:
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uneven
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
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uneven
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(of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement
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Antonyms:
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regular
(of solids) having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume can be determined with a suitable geometric formula
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regular
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falling below the manufacturer's standard“irregular jeans”
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Synonyms:
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imperfect
not perfect; defective or inadequate
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imperfect
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merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
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synonyms:
second
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type of:
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merchandise, product, ware
commodities offered for sale
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merchandise, product, ware
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deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal
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contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice“irregular hiring practices”
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Synonyms:
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illegal
prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules
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asymmetrical, crooked
irregular in shape or outline
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casual, occasional
occurring from time to time
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improper, unconventional, unlawful
not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention
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randomised, randomized
set up or distributed in a deliberately random way
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strong
of verbs not having standard (or regular) inflection
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unrhythmic, unrhythmical
not rhythmic; irregular in beat or accent
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rough, unsmooth
having or caused by an irregular surface
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unsteady
subject to change or variation
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asymmetric, asymmetrical
characterized by asymmetry in the spatial arrangement or placement of parts or components
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unsystematic
lacking systematic arrangement or method or organization
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Antonyms:
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regular
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
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first-string
of members of a team; not substitutes
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lawful, rule-governed
according to custom or rule or natural law
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official, prescribed
conforming to set usage, procedure, or discipline
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standard, stock
regularly and widely used or sold
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timed
regularly spaced in time
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uniform
evenly spaced
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weak
(used of verbs) having standard (or regular) inflection
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well-ordered
ordered well
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rhythmic, rhythmical
recurring with measured regularity
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symmetric, symmetrical
having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts
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systematic
characterized by order and planning
- show more antonyms...
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illegal
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lacking continuity or regularity
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not occurring at expected times
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synonyms:
unpredictable
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sporadic
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
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sporadic
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independent in behavior or thought“she led a somewhat irregular private life”
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synonyms:
maverick, unorthodox
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unconventional
not conforming to accepted rules or standards
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unconventional
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a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
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(used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces“irregular troops”“irregular warfare”
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Antonyms:
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regular
(used of the military) belonging to or engaged in by legitimate army forces
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standing
permanent
- show more antonyms...
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regular
Pronunciation
US
/ɪˈrɛgjələr/
UK
/ɪˈrɛgjulə/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘irregular'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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