Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not following a standard pattern, rule, or schedule; not even or balanced in shape or arrangement: Describes something that lacks uniformity, consistency, or symmetry.
   • Not conforming to established rules, norms, or customs: Describes behavior, practices, or things that deviate from what is usual, accepted, or regular.
   • Not belonging to or part of an official or organized group, especially a military force: Describes troops or warfare not part of a country's official, standing army.
   • (Of a word) not inflected according to the usual rules: In grammar, describes a verb, noun, etc., that does not follow the standard patterns of conjugation or declension.

2. Noun:

   • A product that is flawed or imperfect, often sold at a lower price: Merchandise that does not meet the manufacturer's quality standards.
   • A soldier who is not a member of an official, regular army: A member of an unofficial or guerrilla military force.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The coastline was rugged and irregular. (The shape of the coastline was not smooth or uniform.)
  • He has an irregular work schedule, so his hours change every week. (His work schedule does not follow a fixed, predictable pattern.)
  • "Go," "went," and "gone" are the principal parts of the irregular verb "to go." (The verb "go" does not form its past tense by adding "-ed".)
  • The investigation uncovered irregular financial practices. (The financial practices did not conform to accepted rules or standards.)

• Noun:

  • The store sells irregulars—jeans with minor flaws—at a discount. (The jeans are sold cheaply because they are imperfect.)
  • The regular army was supported by irregulars familiar with the mountainous terrain. (The unofficial fighters assisted the official soldiers.)

Advanced Usage

• "Irregular heartbeat" (medical): A heartbeat that is not steady or rhythmic.
  • The patient was admitted to the hospital with an irregular heartbeat.
• "Highly irregular" (idiomatic): Used to strongly emphasize that something is very unusual and against the rules or norms.
  • The judge said the prosecutor's actions were highly irregular and warranted a review.

Variants and Related Words

• Irregularity (n): The state or quality of being irregular; an instance of something that is irregular.
  • The irregularity of the stone wall gave it a rustic charm.
  • The audit found several financial irregularities.
• Irregularly (adv): In an irregular manner.
  • The buses run irregularly on weekends.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Uneven, erratic, inconsistent, atypical, abnormal, unconventional, anomalous, guerrilla (for military).
• Noun: Second, imperfect, guerrilla, partisan.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Regular, even, consistent, normal, standard, symmetrical, conventional.

Related Phrases

• Irregular warfare: Military conflict involving non-state actors, guerrilla tactics, and asymmetric strategies, as opposed to conventional warfare between regular armies.
• Irregular verb: In grammar, a verb that does not follow the standard rules for forming its past tense and past participle (e.g., sing/sang/sung, not sing/singed).

Adjective

1. independent in behavior or thought
   • she led a somewhat irregular private life
   • maverick politicians
2. (of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical
   • walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface
3. lacking continuity or regularity
   • an irregular worker
   • employed on a temporary basis
4. deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal
   • these days large families are atypical
   • atypical clinical findings
   • atypical pneumonia
   • highly irregular behavior
5. falling below the manufacturer's standard
   • irregular jeans
6. (of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement
7. (used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces
   • irregular troops
   • irregular warfare
8. not occurring at expected times
9. contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
   • irregular hiring practices

Noun

1. merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
2. a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment