irregular
ir|regu|lar /ɪr'egjʊlər/
1 [ADJ]
If events or actions occur at irregular intervals, the periods of time between them are of different lengths.
Cars passed at irregular intervals...
He worked irregular hours.
≠ regular
● irregularly [ADV] ADV with v
He was eating irregularly, steadily losing weight.
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...a dangerous irregularity in her heartbeat.
2 [ADJ]
Something that is irregular is not smooth or straight, or does not form a regular pattern.
He had bad teeth, irregular and discolored.
= uneven
≠ regular
● irregularly [ADV] usu ADV -ed
Located off-center in the irregularly shaped lake was a fountain.
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...treatment of abnormalities or irregularities of the teeth.
3 [ADJ]
Irregular behaviour is dishonest or not in accordance with the normal rules.
...the minister accused of irregular business practices...
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...charges arising from alleged financial irregularities.
4 [ADJ]
An irregular verb, noun, or adjective has different forms from most other verbs, nouns, or adjectives in the language. For example, `break' is an irregular verb because its past form is `broke', not `breaked'.
≠ regular
1 [ADJ]
If events or actions occur at irregular intervals, the periods of time between them are of different lengths.
Cars passed at irregular intervals...
He worked irregular hours.
≠ regular
● irregularly [ADV] ADV with v
He was eating irregularly, steadily losing weight.
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...a dangerous irregularity in her heartbeat.
2 [ADJ]
Something that is irregular is not smooth or straight, or does not form a regular pattern.
He had bad teeth, irregular and discolored.
= uneven
≠ regular
● irregularly [ADV] usu ADV -ed
Located off-center in the irregularly shaped lake was a fountain.
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...treatment of abnormalities or irregularities of the teeth.
3 [ADJ]
Irregular behaviour is dishonest or not in accordance with the normal rules.
...the minister accused of irregular business practices...
● irregularity [N-VAR]
...charges arising from alleged financial irregularities.
4 [ADJ]
An irregular verb, noun, or adjective has different forms from most other verbs, nouns, or adjectives in the language. For example, `break' is an irregular verb because its past form is `broke', not `breaked'.
≠ regular