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

On the other hand, anomalous precipitation in coastal ecosystems — such as the strong storms that fell this winter and spring in Los Angeles and San Diego — are promoting the growth of new grasses and other light plants that could potentially feed flames. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

After this story was published online, a CIA spokesperson on Friday pointed to the Intelligence Community’s Annual Threat Assessment published earlier this month by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the latest evaluation of anomalous health incidents. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

But the anomalous soil, a carbon-rich layer that other archaeologists called the black mat, was full of them. —Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024

Because of the anomalous contributions total, Texas A&M reported an $85.5 million operating surplus for 2023. —Steve Berkowitz, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024

When moving through a crowd of darting and preening Italians, her presence is anomalous — a sea anemone amid parrotfish. —Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024

Since word of the anomalous monolith spread through Wales and England, tourists and news crews have flocked to the bluff to get a look. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024

The 63-page document reviews government records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024

This anomalous condition stems largely from the fact that not only are the vast majority of African businesses locally based small and medium-sized enterprises, but also that there is a daunting lack of cost-effective infrastructure to get goods and services to market at competitive rates. —Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

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