English vocabulary · C1
Incongruity
/ˌɪn.kənˈɡruː.ə.ti/ · n.
Incongruity is when two things do not fit together. A suit of armor in a diner looks strange.
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Example sentences
- Armor was an incongruity here.
- Snow made it an incongruity.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- in — not (from Latin)
- congr — agree (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- MISMATCH — things do not fit (Things Do Not Fit)
- ODDITY — a strange thing (A Strange Thing)
- CLASH — two things conflict (Two Things Conflict)
Words with the same root
congr — agree
- congruent — matching
- congruence — a good match
- congruous — fitting well
Lesson notes
Incongruity is when two things do not fit together. A suit of armor in a diner looks strange.
Related: mismatch, oddity, clash. Use incongruity when things do not fit together.
Armor was an incongruity here. Snow made it an incongruity.
From Latin. In- means not. Congr- means agree. When things do not agree, there is incongruity.