anomalous

UK: /əˈnɒmələs/ US: /əˈnɑmələs/ ,(ə nom′ə ləs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•nom•a•lous /əˈnɑmələs/  adj. 

1. differing from the expected or usual;
   irregular;
   abnormal.
a•nom•a•lous•ly, adv. See -nom-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•nom•a•lous  (ə nom′ə ləs), adj. 

1. deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule;
   irregular;
   abnormal:
   Advanced forms of life may be anomalous in the universe.
2. not fitting into a common or familiar type, classification, or pattern;
   unusual:
   He held an anomalous position in the art world.
3. incongruous or inconsistent.
4. Grammar irregular.

• Greek anó̄malos irregular, equivalent. to an- an-¹ + homalós even, with ō by analogy with other Greek privatives (compare anopheles); see homo-, -ous
• Medieval Latin, Late Latin anōmalus)
• (1640–50

a•nom′a•lous•ly, adv. 
a•nom′a•lous•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

anomalous / əˈnɒmələs/ adjective

1. deviating from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregular, abnormal, or incongruous

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin anōmalus, from Greek anōmalos uneven, inconsistent, from an- + homalos even, from homos one and the same

aˈnomalously adverb

aˈnomalousness noun