anomalous

adjective

anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnä-mə-ləs 

1

: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : irregular, unusual

Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.

2

a

: of uncertain nature or classification

an anomalous figure in the world of politics

b

: marked by incongruity or contradiction : paradoxical

anomalously adverb

anomalousness noun

Synonyms

• aberrant
• aberrated
• abnormal
• atypical
• especial
• exceeding
• exceptional
• extraordinaire
• extraordinary
• freak
• odd
• peculiar
• phenomenal
• preternatural
• rare
• singular
• uncommon
• uncustomary
• unique
• unusual
• unwonted

Choose the Right Synonym for anomalous

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 anomalous in a Sentence

Researchers could not explain the anomalous test results.

that was an anomalous year for the housing industry, so the number of starts is anything but typical

Recent Examples on the Web

This game was anomalous in that the Penguins didn’t give one up early in the game and, in fact, were the better team in the first period. —Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

The first group of disorders is based on anomalous activity preferences. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

This is an American story made by an international cohort — Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain is an executive producer under his Fabula production banner — and the film is so much more than just an exploration of this anomalous oddball story and character who managed to outsmart the media. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders via social media that included homes, hotels and a Walmart. Jennifer Thompson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, described the fire conditions in the central and northern parts of the state as historic and highly anomalous. —Sean Murphy and Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin anōmalus "irregular (of grammatical paradigms), unequal in size (of planets)" (borrowed from Greek anṓmalos "not uniform, unequal, inconsistent, irregular [in grammar]," from an- an- + homalόs "even, uniform, equal, like") + -ous — more at similar

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anomalous

• unidentified anomalous phenomenon

Kids Definition

anomalous

adjective

anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnäm-ə-ləs 

: not following a general rule or method : irregular, unusual

anomalously adverb

anomalousness noun

Medical Definition

anomalous

adjective

anom·​a·​lous ə-ˈnäm-ə-ləs 

: deviating from normal

anomalous development

anomalous pulmonary venous drainage

—Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology

specifically : having abnormal vision with respect to a particular color but not color-blind

she was almost red anomalous

—Nature