anomaly

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Something unusual that does not fit the normal pattern or what you would expect.

   Grammar: Countable: one anomaly, several anomalies; often followed by 'in'.

   Patterns

   • an anomaly in something
   • an anomaly of something

   The auditor noticed an anomaly in the company's accounts.

   Snow in July was a strange anomaly.

   His low score was an anomaly; he normally excels.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   In science, a measurement or observation that differs from what theory or the usual data predict.

   Grammar: Technical: usually described with a modifier, such as a temperature anomaly.

   Patterns

   • a temperature anomaly
   • a gravity anomaly

   Scientists found a magnetic anomaly under the ice.

   The satellite recorded a temperature anomaly over the ocean.

   Detecting anomalies in network traffic can reveal an attack.

Word forms

Common combinations

statistical anomaly

The spike was just a statistical anomaly.

detect an anomaly

The software can detect an anomaly quickly.

a striking anomaly

It is a striking anomaly in an otherwise stable market.

anomaly detection

Banks use anomaly detection to catch fraud.

explain an anomaly

No one could explain the anomaly.

Synonyms and how they differ

oddity

An oddity is an unusual thing in everyday terms, but an anomaly suggests breaking a pattern.

irregularity

Irregularity sounds more procedural and may imply a rule was broken.

aberration

Aberration implies a departure from what is right or typical, often temporary, and can be critical.

exception

An exception is something excluded from a rule, while an anomaly is simply unexpected.

Opposites

Word family

anomalous adjective

differing from what is normal

anomalously adverb

in an unusual way

anomalousness noun

the quality of being unusual

Commonly confused: anomaly or anonymity?

Practice

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