Skip to main content
anomalous

anomalous

23 8.1
Not like what is usual or expected
  • adjective
  • /əˈnɑːmələs/
translation icon : anómalo
  • The scientist noted an anomalous reading on the experiment, suggesting a possible error.
  • anomalous experience
  • anomalous finding
  • anomalous situation

There's just too many things that are anomalous right now.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • There was this one really anomalous event and it just sticks out, and that is the Great Depression.

  • Possible reasons for this seemingly anomalous finding will be discussed below.

    Academic text (1994)
  • This is a truly anomalous formation.

  • In the latter part of this article, I offer an account of how this anomalous situation developed.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Many normal people have anomalous experiences but do not develop delusions.

    Academic text (1999)
  • There were anomalous circular abrasions on some of the pieces.

  • The overall low level of SES in our sample may have contributed to this anomalous finding.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In this essay, I explore the historically anomalous character of Enlightenment anti-imperialism.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The second paper discussed the use of deep, recurrent neural networks to detect anomalous network activity from system logs.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Then give me a level-1 diagnostic of any onboard sensors, and run a manual sweep of any anomalous airborne or electromagnetic readings.

Synonyms

strange
vsanomalous
2.3

Unusual and slightly odd in a way you cannot easily understand

is the neutral term for deviation, lacking surprise or oddness
weird
vsanomalous
  • Informal
3.2

Strange or unusual in a way that makes people feel uncomfortable

is the neutral notion of being different without strong oddness
unusual
vsanomalous
2.2

Not common and different from what people expect

is the general notion of deviation from normal expectations
different
vsanomalous
913 2.0

Not usual and not like what people expect

is the technical idea of deviation rather than casual comparison
odd
vsanomalous
798 1.0

Different from what is normal or expected

is more formal and neutral, describing any clear deviation
bizarre
vsanomalous
406 5.9

Very strange or unusual in a way that surprises people

is a neutral word for deviation, without extreme or shocking tone
curious
vsanomalous
131 4.0

Strange or unusual in a way that attracts attention

is the simple label for deviation without implying interest or wonder
peculiar
vsanomalous
123 4.6

Different from what is normal and expected

is the plain concept of deviation without strong distinctiveness
unnatural
vsanomalous
101 4.1

Not normal or what people expect

is broader, covering any deviation not only those against nature
abnormal
vsanomalous
100 4.2

Different from what is usual in a way that may be worrying

is the neutral notion of deviation without the negative or worrying tone
unorthodox
vsanomalous
52 7.3

Not following the usual rules or customs

is the general idea of deviation, not limited to customs or rules
out of the ordinary
vsanomalous
48 4.1

Not usual and different from what people expect

is the neutral term for deviation without extra emotion or judgment
outlandish
vsanomalous
34 7.4

Strange or unusual in a way that surprises people

is the ordinary term for deviation, not suggesting exoticism or shock
atypical
vsanomalous
27 5.7

Different from what is usual or expected

is broader, covering any deviation from standard order or form
irregular
vsanomalous
14 3.4

Not following a usual pattern or rule

is about any abnormality in form rather than just timing or patterns
aberrant
vsanomalous
14 8.2

Different from what is normal, often in a way people see as wrong

is the neutral label for deviation without negative judgment
uncharacteristic
vsanomalous
14 5.4

Not usual for a person or thing

is the general label for deviation not tied to one subject
unordinary
vsanomalous
1 7.0

Not usual and different from what you expect

is the neutral description for any deviation from the ordinary
non-typical
vsanomalous
4.8

Not usual or expected

is the neutral concept of deviation without added negative meaning
oddish
vsanomalous
7.9

Slightly strange in a small, gentle way

is a broader, neutral term for notable difference
aberrative
vsanomalous
9.5

Different from what is normal or expected

is the neutral term for any deviation without implying rarity

Antonyms

1.0

Usual or expected in most situations

1.0

Happening most of the time in a normal way

843 1.0

Having the usual qualities of a person, thing, or group

Compounds

A way of sending messages by telepathy or other methods outside the normal senses

How Anomalous

aberrant
14 8.2
abnormal
100 4.2
anomalous
23 8.1
irregular
14 3.4
unusual
2.2
atypical
27 5.7

Surface Forms

anomalous positive
anomalouser comparative
anomalousest superlative

Morphology

anomalous = anomaly (transparent) = anomal + ous

Formed from 'anomaly' with the adjective-forming suffix '-ous' (spelling changes from -y to -ous), and the meaning directly derives from the noun.

Etymology

Anomalous comes from an old Greek word made of a- 'not' and homalos 'even', so it originally meant 'not even'. That's why something anomalous is 'different from what is usual' or 'irregular'.