Pronunciations (4)
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/ɪˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.lə/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ɪˈɹɛɡ.jə.lɚ/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ɪˈɹeɡ.jə.lə/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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ɪˈɹɛɡjəlɚ
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Nonstandard; not conforming to rules or expectations.
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More examples (1)
‘ “It would be most irregular Grandpa!” says Miss Cecily frowning and tapping her foot. “Well, we’re a pretty irregular family so that’s neither here nor there,” says the old man, impish like. [...] ’
Of a surface, rough.
Without symmetry, regularity, or uniformity.
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The hovel stood in the centre of what had once been a vegetable garden, but was now a patch of rank weeds. Surrounding this, almost like a zareba, was an irregular ring of gorse and brambles, an unclaimed vestige of the original common.
Near by, where the crystal clear River Llugwy is crossed by a bridge, stands a small and ancient church built of massive, irregular boulders.
More examples (3)
Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.
Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits. ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found.
The improvements will be most keenly felt across Lincolnshire, where current irregular service patterns are more a function of operational convenience than passenger demand.
Of a polygon, not regular; having sides that are not equal or angles that are not equal.
Of a polyhedron, whose faces are not all regular polygons (or are not equally inclined to each other).
Of a word, not following the regular or expected patterns of inflection in a given language.
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"Calves", "cacti", and "children" are irregular plurals.
"To buy" is an irregular English verb: its past simple and past participle tense is "bought".
More examples (1)
I hate learning all the irregular conjugations in French.
Having abnormal bowel movements at inconsistent intervals.
- Antonyms
Noun
A soldier who is not a member of an official military force and who may not use regular army tactics.
One who does not regularly attend a venue.
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There's one neighborhood tavern where the regulars and irregulars go after a hard day to unlax and rewind, throw back a few, and just hang out - you know the one.
Adjective
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
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irregular hiring practices
not occurring at a regular rate or fixed intervals
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an irregular heartbeat
(used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces
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irregular troops
irregular warfare
(of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement
- Antonyms
failing to meet a standard of manufacture due to an imperfection
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an irregular pair of jeans
deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal
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these days large families are atypical
atypical clinical findings
More examples (2)
atypical pneumonia
highly irregular behavior
lacking continuity or regularity
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an irregular worker
employed on a temporary basis
(of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical
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walking was difficult on the irregular cobblestoned surface
independent in behavior or thought
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she led a somewhat irregular private life
maverick politicians
Noun
a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
- Broader terms
merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
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