irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty i-ˌre-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

ˌi(r)-, 

-ˈla-rə-

plural irregularities

1

: something that is irregular (such as improper or dishonest conduct)

alleged irregularities in the city government

2

: the quality or state of being irregular

3

: constipation

Examples of irregularity in a Sentence

the irregularity of his behavior

He is suffering from irregularity.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, the main nationwide entrance examination for medical schools was engulfed in controversy over a slew of irregularities, including the advance leak of the exam’s questions. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Several opposition lawmakers and thousands of supporters marched through the capital and submitted a petition to the chief justice alleging irregularities in the nationwide revision of voter lists. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

In April 2023, Pulido was arrested in Venezuela during the PDVSA-Cripto corruption investigation, which exposed allegations of massive irregularities involving the country’s state oil company and cryptocurrency transactions. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

The study also found that greater night-to-night sleep irregularity and more wakefulness during the night were associated with higher risks of several conditions, including anxiety and substance use disorders. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English irregularite, from Medieval Latin irregularitat-, irregularitas, from Late Latin irregularis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for irregularity

• peculiarity
• subsidiarity
• unfamiliarity
• unpopularity
• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity

Kids Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty (ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)eg-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural irregularities

1

: the quality or state of being irregular

2

: something (as dishonest conduct) that is irregular

3

: constipation

Medical Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty (ˌ)ir-ˌ(r)eg-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural irregularities

1

: the quality or state of being irregular

irregularity of breathing

hormonal irregularities

2

: occasional constipation

more fiber in one's diet may help relieve irregularity

Legal Definition

irregularity

noun

ir·​reg·​u·​lar·​i·​ty ir-ˌre-gyə-ˈlar-ə-tē 

plural irregularities

: something that is irregular

an irregularity in the proceeding