a·nom·a·lous

[uh-nom-uh-luhs]
adjective
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.
Origin:
1640–50; (< Medieval Latin, Late Latin anōmalus) < Greek anṓmalos irregular, equivalent to an- an-1 + homalós even, with ō by analogy with other Gk privatives (cf. anopheles); see homo-, -ous

Related forms
a·nom·a·lous·ly, adverb
a·nom·a·lous·ness, noun

Can be confused: anomalous, anonymous, euonymus, unanimous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To anomalous
00:10
Anomalous is a GRE word you need to know.
So is dupe. Does it mean:
lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring:
a person who is easily deceived or fooled; gull.
LEARN MORE GRE WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
anomalous (əˈnɒmələs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
deviating from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregular, abnormal, or incongruous
 
[C17: from Late Latin anōmalus, from Greek anōmalos uneven, inconsistent, from an- + homalos even, from homos one and the same]
 
a'nomalously
 
—adv
 
a'nomalousness
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

anomalous
1640s, from L. anomalus, from Gk. anomalos "uneven, irregular" (see anomaly).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Perhaps only one who has taken data can understand the temptations to toss
  results that are "anomalous".
In the case of the gall, the plant is co-opted — it secretes compounds
  that promote anomalous tissue growth.
Given such a risky procedure, the job should have stopped at any sign of
  anomalous pressure readings.
In these days of personalized polarization, the close friendship between these
  two men seems anomalous—but instructive.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT