1
Core quality
Deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
Example
The third trial produced an anomalous result.
anomalous
/əˈnɒmələs/ · uh-NOM-uh-lusadjective
Deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
Use anomalous to express this relationship precisely: deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
What anomalous Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Researchers retested the anomalous reading before excluding it.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
One anomalous year does not overturn the long-term trend.
Use anomalous Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The third trial produced an anomalous result.
Researchers retested the anomalous reading before excluding it.
One anomalous year does not overturn the long-term trend.
Precision Matters
Anomalous overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
anomalous
vs.Means deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
anomaly
Means something outside what is normal, expected, or consistent with a pattern.
anomalous
vs.Means deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
deviation
Means a departure or difference from an expected value, rule, path, or normal pattern.
anomalous
vs.Means deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
erratic
Means unpredictable, irregular, or inconsistent.
anomalous
vs.Means deviating from what is normal, expected, or consistent with the surrounding pattern.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
Test anomalous in Context
It departs from the otherwise consistent pattern.
1
The single sharp increase was ___ because every other measurement remained stable.