Irregularity: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is typically used to describe something that is not regular or consistent and can be found in many areas such as finance, health, and work routines.

• The audit uncovered several irregularities in the financial statements
• He was concerned about the irregularities in his heartbeat

This word describes something that lacks uniformity, steadiness, or reliability, often used to highlight discrepancies in actions, statements, or quality.

• There was a clear inconsistency between his statements and his actions
• The inconsistency in the product quality led to a loss of customers

Variability is used to describe how much and how often something changes, commonly in scientific, economic, or environmental contexts.

• The study focused on the variability in climate conditions over the past century
• There is significant variability in the test scores within the class

Use deviation when referring to a departure from an established course or norm, often in contexts involving rules, standards, or protocols.

• Any deviation from the flight plan must be reported immediately
• The project's deviations from the original scope caused delays

Anomaly is best used when describing something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected, often in scientific or technical contexts.

• The researchers found an anomaly in the data that didn’t match the expected results
• The warm seas in January were considered a weather anomaly

Refer back to the first 'irregularity' entry since it was a repetition.

'Unevenness' describes surfaces or conditions that are not level, consistent, or equal. It is often used to talk about textures, land surfaces, and qualities.

• The unevenness of the trail made hiking difficult
• His performance showed unevenness throughout the season

The word 'asymmetry' is best used to describe a lack of symmetry or balance between two or more parts. It is commonly used in art, design, and scientific fields.

• The artist explored themes of asymmetry in his latest sculpture
• There is a noticeable asymmetry in the facial features of the model

'Crookedness' refers to something that is bent, twisted, or not straight. It has a slightly negative connotation and is often used to describe physical objects.

• The crookedness of the old fence gave the garden a rustic charm
• The manager was concerned about the crookedness of the new pipeline

Employ 'distortion' when describing something that is warped or altered from its original form, often in a way that is misleading or damaging. This term is used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• The heat caused a distortion in the metal structure
• Media distortion can significantly impact public perception

Situations where something does not follow the usual rules or patterns, especially in official or formal contexts.

• The audit revealed several financial irregularities.
• He noticed an irregularity in the data.

Refers to something that deviates significantly from what is normal or expected, often with an implication of being an error or mistake.

• His sudden outburst was an aberration from his usual behavior.
• The cold weather in July was an aberration.

Used to describe something that is different from what is usual or expected, usually in a scientific or technical context.

• The scientists discovered an anomaly in the telescope’s data.
• This year’s sales figures are an anomaly.

Applies to cases that are not included in a general rule or category, generally implying a one-off situation.

• All the students passed the exam, with one exception.
• There are always exceptions to the rules.

Refers to a difference or change within a set range, often used in contexts involving naturally occurring changes.

• There is significant variation in the quality of the products.
• Temperature variation is common in this region.