irregular

adjective

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ir·reg·u·lar | \ i-ˈre-gyə-lər

, ˌi(r)- \

Definition of irregular

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

3a : 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

irregular

noun

Definition of irregular (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

Other Words from irregular Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About irregular

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Synonyms & Antonyms for irregular

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for irregular

Adjective

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 Yet trees tend to reproduce at irregular intervals, and populations in the East and West could be on different cycles. — Ben Weissenbach, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2021 At night, detention officers are required by state law to check on inmates at least every 30 minutes, at irregular intervals. — jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2020 The distillery is at 1110 NE Eighth Ave., in that under-loved, irregular polygon near downtown, north of Sunrise and east of the Brightline tracks. — Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Oct. 2021 In Utah's Salt Lake Valley, the Murray School District set up a private LTE network to service students, many of whom had irregular access and struggled to keep up with online instruction during the pandemic. — Bart Van Aardenne, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021 Multiple reports of blasts and irregular vital signs from wearable devices could put medevac and medical units on instant alert to receive and treat mass casualties. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2021 There are as many as 200,000 migrants of irregular status in Belgium, a nation of 10 million, according to estimates by aid organizations. — New York Times, 1 Oct. 2021 In 2017, the Apple Heart Study set out to determine whether the Apple Watch could detect irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including those caused by atrial fibrillation, a serious heart condition. — Yasmin Tayag, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2021 The camera drops in at irregular intervals in consequential moments — a decade of love distilled into a handful of days. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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 Who took up arms to help their husbands in their clashes with Turkish troops and Kurdish irregulars. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 24 Apr. 2018 The onslaught followed days of army units and pro-government irregulars mobilizing from as far as the northern city of Aleppo before massing south of the capital. — Nabih Bulos, latimes.com, 20 Apr. 2018 The army's 3rd and 4th divisions, the Republican Guard, Russian forces, tribal fighters and pro-government irregulars are expected to take part in the offensive, pro-government activists said. — Nabih Bulos, latimes.com, 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'irregular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.