If something is an anomaly, it is different from what is usual or expected.
[formal]
The computer's software detected an anomaly caused by a virus.
Synonyms: irregularity, departure, exception, abnormality More Synonyms of anomaly
anomaly in British English
(əˈnɒməlɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-lies
1.
something anomalous
2.
deviation from the normal or usual order, type, etc; irregularity
3. astronomy
a. Also called: true anomaly
the angle between a planet, the sun, and the previous perihelion of the planet
b. Also called: eccentric anomaly
the angle between the periapsis of a particular point on a circle round the orbit as seen from the centre of the orbit. This point is obtained by producing a perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse through the orbiting body until it reaches the circumference of the circle
c. Also called: mean anomaly
the angle between the periapsis of an orbit and the position of an imaginary body orbiting at a constant angular speed and in the same period as the real orbiting body
4. geology
a. Also called: gravity anomaly
a deviation from the normal value of gravity at the earth's surface, caused by density differences at depth, for example those caused by a buried mineral body
b. Also called: magnetic anomaly
a magnetic field, for example one produced by a buried mineral body, that deviates from an expected or standard value, usually that of the earth's magnetic field
Derived forms
anomalistic (aˌnomaˈlistic) or anomalistical (aˌnomaˈlistical)
adjective
anomalistically (aˌnomaˈlistically)
adverb
anomaly in American English
(əˈnɑməli)
nounWord forms: pluralaˈnomalies
1.
departure from the regular arrangement, general rule, or usual method; abnormality
2.
anything anomalous
3. Astronomy
a measurement used for any orbiting body, as a planet's angular distance around its orbit from its perihelion, taken as if viewed from the sun
Word origin
L anomalia < Gr anōmalia, inequality: see anomalous
Examples of 'anomaly' in a sentence
anomaly
This anomaly would be ended if a slightly smaller set of stumps was drawn onscreen.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Were the rapid advances of the silicon era a historical anomaly?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Which throws up a few apparent anomalies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When will its team discover two million viewers have gone missing through one of their anomalies?
The Sun (2007)
How should we explain this strange anomaly?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The evidence from more recent data and surveys suggests that that was no statistical anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He had argued strongly in favour of them because they ended anomalies in the tax system.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This was because of a historical anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It also explains the apparent anomalies.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This has led to strange anomalies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Defeat would be a statistical anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Nor was his Lordship persuaded that there was any real anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We did not need a magnetic anomaly - the whole country is an anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But this is one of those anomalies that can work to savers' advantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The Chancellor has already taken steps to end this anomaly in the case of churches.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Let's watch a massive magnetic anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This strange anomaly will gradually spread across Britain over the coming years.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Most of these deaths occur in the first month of life and are directly linked either to congenital anomalies or to low birth weight.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
That seems a real anomaly.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But there's one anomaly that really bothers me... the ability to make new friends.
The Sun (2013)
We know why it has happened, but it's a historical anomaly and indefensible in democratic terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Other than death caused by low birth weight or congenital anomalies, sudden infant death syndrome is the most common cause of death in the first year.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
Various theories have been put forward to account for this apparent anomaly; and the explanation now seems to lie in the method used in preparing the remedies.
Shreeve, Dr Caroline M Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Easy Stages (1989)
In other languages
anomaly
British English: anomaly NOUN
If something is an anomaly, it is different from what is usual or expected.
The law was amended to remove this anomaly.
American English: anomaly
Brazilian Portuguese: anomalia
Chinese: 反常的事物
European Spanish: anomalía
French: anomalie
German: Anomalie
Italian: anomalia
Japanese: 例外
Korean: 이례적인 것
European Portuguese: anomalia
Latin American Spanish: anomalía
All related terms of 'anomaly'
mean anomaly
something anomalous
true anomaly
something anomalous
gravity anomaly
a deviation from the normal value of gravity at the earth's surface, caused by density differences at depth , for example those caused by a buried mineral body
eccentric anomaly
something anomalous
magnetic anomaly
something anomalous
(noun)
Definition
something that deviates from the normal
Their wariness of opera is an anomaly in Europe.
Synonyms
irregularity
charges arising from alleged financial irregularities
departure
exception
an exception to the usual rule
abnormality
Genetic abnormalities are sometimes associated with paternal DNA.
rarity
inconsistency
deviation
a clear example of deviation from the norm
eccentricity
We all have our little eccentricities.
oddity
the oddities of the Welsh legal system
aberration
The incident was not just an aberration, not just a single incident.
peculiarity
the peculiarity of her behaviour
incongruity
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aberration
Definition
a sudden change from what is normal, accurate, or correct
The incident was not just an aberration, not just a single incident.
Synonyms
anomaly,
exception,
defect,
abnormality,
inconsistency,
deviation,
quirk,
peculiarity,
divergence,
departure,
irregularity,
incongruity,
aberrancy
in the sense of abnormality
Genetic abnormalities are sometimes associated with paternal DNA.