iˌrreguˈlarity
B2/C1Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of not being regular, even, or following a pattern.
Something that is not normal or that breaks a rule, pattern, or law, especially in a formal or official context (e.g., a procedural error).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to physical shape, pattern, behaviour, timing, or procedural/legal compliance. The word often implies deviation from an expected norm, standard, or rule.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling: shared. Usage is identical in formal and official contexts.
Connotations
Formal, often bureaucratic or legal. Slightly clinical/detached tone. In medical contexts, refers to bodily functions (e.g., bowel irregularity).
Frequency
More frequent in written, formal, legal, or technical registers than in casual speech in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[det] + irregularity (e.g., *a serious irregularity*)irregularity + [in + N] (e.g., *irregularity in the accounts*)[verb] + irregularity (e.g., *detect an irregularity*)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not an idiomatic term itself. May appear in set phrases like 'on a point of irregularity' (formal/procedural).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to accounting, compliance, or procedural errors: 'The audit uncovered serious financial irregularities.'
Academic
Used in scientific writing to describe deviations in data or patterns: 'The statistical analysis accounted for minor irregularities in the sample.'
Everyday
Less common, but can describe physical patterns or health: 'I've noticed an irregularity in my heartbeat.'
Technical
Used in medicine (e.g., cardiac arrhythmia), engineering (surface flaws), law (procedural faults).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The buses run irregularly, so check the timetable.
- The data points are spaced irregularly across the graph.
American English
- The buses run irregularly, so check the schedule.
- The data points are spaced irregularly across the graph.
adjective
British English
- The coastline has an irregular, jagged shape.
- Her attendance at the meetings was highly irregular.
American English
- The coastline has an irregular, jagged shape.
- Her attendance at the meetings was highly irregular.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The surface of the old table has some small irregularities.
- He went to the doctor because of stomach irregularity.
- The investigation found no irregularities in the election process.
- The irregularity of his work hours makes planning difficult.
- Financial irregularities forced the company's board to launch an internal review.
- A minor irregularity in the application form caused a delay in processing.
- The judge dismissed the case due to a procedural irregularity that violated the defendant's rights.
- Geologists study the irregularity of the rock strata to understand the region's seismic history.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IR-REGULAR-ITY.' An 'irregular' (not regular) thing's abstract quality. The double 'R' after the prefix 'ir-' leads to the core 'regular'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATH/ORDER AS REGULARITY: Irregularity is a deviation from a straight path or a set order. (e.g., 'The process was thrown off course by several irregularities.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'irregularnost' from 'регулярность' ('regularity') as it is a false friend; Russian uses 'нерегулярность' for timing/periodicity and 'нарушение' for procedural/legal irregularities.
- The legal/business sense (нарушение) is strong in English and may be missed.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: *irreguarlity, *irregularaty*. Misplacing stress in speech (e.g., on 'ir').
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'something odd' or 'a problem' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'irregularity' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes. It implies a deviation from a desirable or expected norm, standard, or rule. However, in neutral descriptive contexts (e.g., 'the irregularity of the coastline'), it may not be negative.
'Irregularity' often focuses on a break in pattern, sequence, or procedure. 'Abnormality' is broader and stronger, often implying something is wrong, unusual, or deviates from a statistical or biological norm.
Yes, it is commonly used as a countable noun (e.g., 'several irregularities were found'). The uncountable form refers to the general quality or state (e.g., 'the irregularity of the pattern').
Legal, financial, and compliance contexts. Phrases like 'financial irregularity' or 'procedural irregularity' are very common in audit reports, official investigations, and legal proceedings.