irregularity
irregularity — noun
- irregularitysingular
- irregularitiesplural
1. a place or area where a surface or object is not smooth, even, or symmetrical —
a place or area where a surface or object is not smooth, even, or symmetrical — for example, a bump on a road, an uneven row of teeth, or an unusual mark on a wall.
The dentist noticed a small irregularity on the surface of Yael's front tooth.
uncountable: 'a small irregularity' as a specific spot
Pedro felt an irregularity in the road and slowed his bicycle to inspect the spot.
A tiny irregularity in the window glass made everything look slightly wavy from certain angles.
Doctors examined the irregularity on Rin's X-ray to decide whether it needed further checks.
The inspector ran his hand along the plaster and stopped when he felt an irregularity.
- unevenness
focuses on the lack of a level surface; less technical
- asymmetry
specifically about lack of mirror-image balance; more formal
- flaw
emphasises that the irregularity is a defect or imperfection
- regularity
the quality of being even, smooth, or symmetrical
- uniformity
the state of being the same across the whole surface
用法筆記
Can describe both tiny flaws (a bump on a surface) and larger uneven patterns (an irregular skyline). In medical contexts it often refers to suspicious tissue growth seen on scans.
常見錯誤
2. an action or practice that goes against official rules, laws, or accepted standa
an action or practice that goes against official rules, laws, or accepted standards of honesty and fairness — often used in contexts of financial mismanagement, administrative mistakes, or procedural errors.
The bank discovered several financial irregularities in the loan department records.
countable/plural: irregularities in [area/department]
A routine audit revealed accounting irregularities that had gone unnoticed for two years.
Megan was suspended after an internal review found irregularities in her travel expense reports.
The election committee hired outside lawyers to investigate claims of voting irregularity.
Charlotte's contract was cancelled when the company uncovered irregularities in her hiring documents.
- misconduct
stronger term implying deliberate wrongdoing; more serious
- breach
focuses on the act of breaking a specific rule or agreement
- anomaly
more neutral; suggests something unusual that may or may not be improper
- regularity
the quality of following correct procedures
- propriety
correct and acceptable behaviour
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural form (irregularities) since improper conduct typically involves multiple violations. The word does not necessarily mean illegal — it covers any departure from proper procedure.
常見錯誤
3. the condition of an event, process, or biological function whose timing varies i
the condition of an event, process, or biological function whose timing varies instead of following a predictable, steady pattern — for instance, a heartbeat that does not keep a constant rhythm or a train service that arrives at unpredictable times.
Minh's doctor said the irregularity of his heartbeat needed further tests.
uncountable: 'the irregularity of [something]'
The irregularity of the bus service frustrated commuters waiting at the city-hall stop.
Charlotte tracked the irregularity of her monthly payments after switching to freelance work.
The patient complained about an irregularity in her breathing whenever she climbed stairs.
The irregularity of the rainfall made it hard for farmers to plan their planting season.
- inconsistency
broader term covering any lack of uniformity, not just timing
- unpredictability
emphasises the inability to know when something will happen
- variation
more neutral; suggests natural fluctuation rather than a problem
- regularity
steady, predictable timing
- consistency
the quality of happening the same way each time
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the general condition ('the irregularity of the service'); countable when referring to one specific instance of uneven timing ('an irregularity in her heartbeat').