Incongruous
/ɪnˈkɑːŋɡruəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Incongruous describes something that does not match or agree with other things around it. It often means something looks odd or strange because it does not belong or fit in the situation or place.
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See It in Action
Not matching or fitting with surroundings or context
- •The modern glass building looked incongruous among the old stone houses.
- •His loud laugh was incongruous in the quiet, serious meeting.
- •The bright painting was incongruous on the plain white wall.
Strange or out of place in a situation
- •Wearing a swimsuit at the formal dinner seemed incongruous.
- •The joke was incongruous with the sad mood of the room.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "incongruous" like "strange," but more about not fitting in with other things around it
- ✓Picture a bright red apple in a basket full of green apples—it looks different and stands out oddly
- ✓It's the feeling when you see someone wearing a heavy winter coat on a hot summer day—it feels unusual and surprising
- ✓Sounds like "in-KONG-groo-us" → imagine a big "king kong" gorilla wearing a tiny hat that does not fit at all
- ✓Think of a funny cartoon where a penguin is at a desert beach—this is incongruous because penguins live in cold places, not hot deserts
- ✓NOT like "different" (which can be normal or expected), "incongruous" is often about something that clashes or feels wrong in its place
- ✓NOT like "weird" (which can be strange in many ways), "incongruous" focuses on not matching or fitting with the environment or situation
Try Other Words
- •Out of place: meaning something does not belong in a situation (Use when you want a simple phrase to say something looks wrong or does not fit)
- •Unfitting: meaning not suitable or proper (Use when something is not right for a particular situation)
- •Discordant: meaning not agreeing or matching, often used for sounds or styles (Use when describing things that clash or do not go well together)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "in-" (not) + root "congruous" (agreeing, fitting) → means "not fitting" or "not agreeing"
- •Etymology: From Latin "incongruus," meaning "not agreeing" or "unsuitable"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe things that do not fit well together
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe things, behaviors, or ideas that seem out of place or do not match their surroundings
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be beautiful but still incongruous? How does that change your feeling about it?
•When might noticing something incongruous help you understand a situation better?
Fill in the blanks
1.The bright neon sign looked incongruous ___ the old, quiet village street because ___ the style difference.
2.His cheerful jokes were incongruous ___ the serious mood of the meeting, which made some people uncomfortable.
3.The elegant dress was incongruous ___ the casual beach party where everyone wore shorts.
4.When a loud rock song played during the calm meditation session, it felt ___ incongruous and distracting.
5.The small cat sitting on the large dog's back was an incongruous ___ sight that made everyone smile.
6.The old-fashioned furniture looked incongruous ___ the modern design of the room, creating a strange mix.
7.People often notice incongruous details because they ___ with what they expect in a situation.