What does "irregular" mean?
A soldier who is not a member of an official military force and who may not use regular army tactics.
Irregular
/ɪˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.lə/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A soldier who is not a member of an official military force and who may not use regular army tactics.
- Grammar: irregular is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: atypical, aberrant, aberrant, abnormal.
- Useful contrasts: periodic, regular, academic consistency.
- Usage evidence: I don't like learning irregular verbs.
How to use "irregular"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "irregular" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "irregular" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "irregular" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "irregular" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "irregular" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "atypical" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "irregular", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A soldier who is not a member of an official military force and who may not use regular army tactics.
- 2 merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name wordnet
- 3 One who does not regularly attend a venue.
"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."
- 4 a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Nonstandard; not conforming to rules or expectations.
"‘ “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. [...] ’"
- 2 Rough (of a surface).
- 3 Without symmetry, regularity, or uniformity.
"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."
- 4 Not regular; having sides that are not equal or angles that are not equal.
- 5 Whose faces are not all regular polygons (or are not equally inclined to each other).
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Not following the regular or expected patterns of inflection in a given language.
""Calves", "cacti", and "children" are irregular plurals."
Adjective
- 1 not occurring at a regular rate or fixed intervals wordnet
- 2 independent in behavior or thought wordnet
- 3 (of a surface or shape); not level or flat or symmetrical wordnet
- 4 lacking continuity or regularity wordnet
- 5 deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 failing to meet a standard of manufacture due to an imperfection wordnet
- 7 contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice wordnet
- 8 (of solids) not having clear dimensions that can be measured; volume must be determined with the principle of liquid displacement wordnet
- 9 (used of the military) not belonging to or engaged in by regular army forces wordnet
Example
"I don't like learning irregular verbs."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "irregular"?
Common synonyms include: atypical, aberrant, aberrant, abnormal, abnormal, actionable.
How do you use "irregular" in a sentence?
I don't like learning irregular verbs.
How do you pronounce "irregular"?
Pronounced /ɪˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.lə/.
Etymology
From Middle English irreguler, from Old French irreguler, from Medieval Latin or Late Latin irrēgulāris, from in- + regularis, equivalent to ir- + regular.