Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈkɒŋɡruənt/

Definitions

• Adjective: Not in harmony or not matching; inconsistent with something else.
• Adjective: Lacking symmetry, or out of place with the surrounding context or structure.

Usage Examples

• The color of the walls was incongruent with the furniture in the room.
• His actions were incongruent with his earlier statements.
• The idea of a strict schedule felt incongruent with the laid-back culture of the office.

Etymology

From Latin "incongruens," meaning "not fitting together," from "in-" meaning "not" and "congruere" meaning "to agree" or "to fit together." The word "incongruent" appeared in English in the 18th century.

Synonyms

• Incompatible
• Contradictory
• Discrepant
• Inconsistent
• Unharmonious

Antonyms

• Congruent
• Consistent
• Harmonious
• Compatible
• Aligned

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "incongruent" is fairly consistent across regions. However, in some English dialects, the stress may shift slightly. For example, in British English, it may be more likely to have the primary stress on the second syllable ("in-CON-gruent"), while in American English, it may be stressed on the first syllable ("IN-congruent").

Historical Usage

The word "incongruent" was first recorded in the 19th century, originating from the Latin term "incongruens." It has been used in both formal and informal contexts to describe things that are out of harmony or that contradict one another. In modern usage, it is often seen in philosophical, scientific, and artistic discussions to highlight contradictions or discrepancies in logic, design, or behavior.

Cultural Nuances

In certain cultural contexts, the idea of incongruence can be a powerful theme, especially in literature and film, where contrasting elements are used to highlight tension or conflict. In philosophy, the term often reflects a deeper exploration of opposing ideas and the search for synthesis between them.

More Information

Incongruent describes something that is out of harmony or does not fit within a particular context. It is commonly used to highlight contradictions, inconsistencies, or mismatches between ideas, actions, or elements. In logic and philosophy, the term is often employed to explain contradictions or elements that do not align within a system or theory. Understanding incongruence can lead to important insights in both academic and everyday discussions, especially when exploring how different elements relate or fail to relate to each other.