Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
unregularity

unregularity

9.6
A lack of a steady or usual pattern
  • noun
  • /ʌnˌrɛɡjʊˈlærɪti/
translation icon : irregularidad
  • Doctors noted the unregularity of her heartbeat during the examination.

Examples

  • There are several unregularities in the data we collected.

  • The unregularity of his attendance caused some concern among the staff.

  • In the countryside, the unregularity of the train service often frustrates travelers.

  • The unregularity of the train schedule caused many delays.

  • Doctors noted the unregularity of her heartbeat during the examination.

  • The unregularity of his attendance caused some concern among the staff.

  • In the countryside, the unregularity of the train service often frustrates travelers.

Synonyms

inconsistency
vsunregularity
30 4.8

A situation where things do not match or agree

points to failing to follow fixed rules or arranged times
unpredictability
vsunregularity
18 7.0

Hard to know what will happen next

is about not following fixed rules or set timing
irregularity
vsunregularity
13 5.1

A lack of regular pattern or evenness

focuses on not following fixed rules or scheduled times
erraticism
vsunregularity
8.4

Unpredictable and inconsistent behavior

emphasizes not following fixed rules or set timing

Antonyms

consistency
77 3.2

The state of things or actions being the same and in agreement

regularity
19 3.3

Happening often in the same way or at the same times

How Regular

uniformity
  • Specialized
18 4.6
consistency
77 3.2
regularity
19 3.3
unregularity
9.6
anomaly
165 7.1

Surface Forms

unregularity singular
unregularities plural

Morphology

unregularity = unregular (transparent) = un + regular + ity

The adjective 'unregular' is a predictable negation of 'regular', and adding '-ity' forms a noun meaning 'the quality of not being regular', though the form is uncommon compared with 'irregularity'.

Etymology

Unregularity starts with un- meaning 'not' and the rest comes from regular, which means 'following a rule or pattern'. The regular part comes from an old Latin word for 'rule', so unregularity simply means 'not following a rule or happening at steady times', which is why we use it for things like an uneven heartbeat or a train that does not run on a fixed schedule.