IrregularityA thing that is not regular, normal, or following the usual pattern. is a noun with a few related meanings. It can refer to something that is not even or not in a regular pattern, something that happens at uneven intervals, a bowelThe part of the body where food waste moves before leaving the body. problem, or behavior that breaks a rule or acceptedWidely agreed on or generally approved by a group or society. standard.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɪrɛɡjəˈlærəti/
Easy pronunciation: ir-REG-yuh-LAIR-uh-tee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the fourth syllable, LAIR; secondary stress is on the first syllable.
This is the noun meaning a shape or pattern that is not even or balanced.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Irregularity Meaning
something that is not symmetrical or regular in form
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a shape or pattern that is not even or balanced
Example: The stone surface had small irregularities.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- geometrical irregularity — Works for a technical or geometric sense, though it is not a common everyday substitute.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Irregularity
Meaning 2
something that does not follow a fixed rhythm or schedule
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the state of happening at uneven or unpredictable intervals
Example: Doctors noticed an irregularity in her heartbeat.
Meaning 3
constipation
Part of speech: noun
Definition: irregular and infrequent bowel movements
Example: He mentioned irregularity as a symptom to his doctor.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- constipation — This is a direct synonym in the medical sense.
Meaning 4
wrong or improper behavior
Part of speech: noun
Definition: behavior that breaks a rule, custom, or moral standard
Example: The audit uncovered several financial irregularities.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- abnormality — Related, but broader and less precise; it can fit only in some contexts, not as a perfect synonym.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Irregularity Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- geometrical irregularity
irregular and infrequent bowel movements
- constipation
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use irregularity as a direct synonym for regularity; they are opposites.
- Do not mix up the shape/pattern sense with the medical or behavior senses.
- In everyday use, irregularities often means problems, errors, or rule-breaking, not just an unusual shape.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does irregularity mean?
Irregularity can mean something uneven or not symmetrical, something that happens at uneven intervals, constipation, or behavior that breaks a rule or standard.
What is the most common meaning of irregularity?
The most common everyday use is for something that is not normal, even, or in the expected pattern, especially when talking about problems, errors, or rule-breaking.
What are good synonyms for irregularity?
For the shape or pattern sense, geometrical irregularity can work in technical contexts. For the medical sense, constipation is the direct synonym supplied here.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.