Anomaly
Something that deviates from the standard, rule, or expectation; an irregularity or exception.
nounAnomaly
Something that deviates from the standard, rule, or expectation; an irregularity or exception.
nounImagine This
Imagine a city of perfectly identical houses. Then one house is painted lime green with a curved roof and a window that doesn’t match the others—clearly an anomaly.
Sounds Like
uh-NOM-uh-lee
Looks Like
An unusual-sounding term that visually and conceptually stands out from the norm.
Remember This
Anomaly describes a deviation from the norm, especially in data or natural patterns. It does not inherently mean 'bad'—it simply stands out.
Other Forms
Connect With
deviation, irregularity, aberration, outlier, exception
Note
Common mistakes: confuse anomaly with aberration or oddity. Although related, anomaly emphasizes deviation from a standard or pattern. Use in neutral terms.