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incongruous

 - 6 dictionary results

in⋅con⋅gru⋅ous

  [in-kong-groo-uhs]
Use incongruous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming: an incongruous effect; incongruous behavior.
2. not harmonious in character; inconsonant; lacking harmony of parts: an incongruous mixture of architectural styles.
3. inconsistent: actions that were incongruous with their professed principles.
Origin:
1605–15; < L incongruus inconsistent. See in- 3 , congruous

Related forms:
in⋅con⋅gru⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
in⋅con⋅gru⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. discrepant, unsuitable, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd. 2. inharmonious, discordant. 3. contrary, contradictory. See inconsistent.

Antonyms:
1. becoming, appropriate. 2. consonant. 3. consistent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To incongruous
in·con·gru·ous   (ĭn-kŏng'grōō-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Lacking in harmony; incompatible: a joke that was incongruous with polite conversation.

  2. Not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent: a plan incongruous with reason.

  3. Not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical; inappropriate: incongruous behavior.


[From Latin incongruus : in-, not; see in-1 + congruus, congruous; see congruous.]
in·con'gru·ous·ly adv., in·con'gru·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  incongruous1
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  not congruous; disagreeing and inharmonious in character
Etymology:  Latin in- + congruere 'to come together'
Main Entry:  incongruous2
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  disagreeing with circumstances; unsuitable, inappropriate
Etymology:  Latin in- + congruere 'to come together'
Main Entry:  incongruous3
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  characterized by inconsistency
Etymology:  Latin in- + congruere 'to come together'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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Word Origin & History

incongruous 
1611, from L. incongruus, from in- "not" + congruus (see congruent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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