Incommensurate: meaning, definitions and examples

📏

Add to dictionary

incommensurate

[ ɪn.kəˈmɛn.sər.ɪt ]

^{Context #1}

mathematics

Not having a common measure or equal standard; not proportionate.

Synonyms

disparate, disproportionate, unequal

Examples of usage

The two lines are incommensurate in length.
His efforts and the results were incommensurate.

^{Context #2}

general

Out of keeping or proportion with something else.

Synonyms

disproportionate, excessive, undue

Examples of usage

The punishment seemed incommensurate with the crime.
His wealth was incommensurate with his modest lifestyle.

Word origin

The word 'incommensurate' originated from the Latin word 'incommensurabilis', which is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'commensurabilis' (commensurable). It entered the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of incommensurability has been significant in mathematics, philosophy, and other fields, where it denotes the absence of a common measure between two objects or entities.