Incongruous Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌɪnkənˈɡruːəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

An adjective used to describe something that is out of place, inconsistent, or mismatched with its surroundings, often used in contexts such as art, fashion, literature, or social situations, to convey a sense of discordance or tension.

Examples

• The artist’s use of bright colors in a black-and-white painting struck viewers as incongruous.
• The couple’s elegant wedding dress at a beachside ceremony clashed with the rustic setting, making the overall look appear incongruous.

Synonyms

• Clashing
• Dissonant
• Incompatible

Antonyms

• Harmonious
• Coherent
• (matched)

Etymology

The word “incongruous” comes from the Latin words “in-” (meaning “not” or “un”) and “congruere” (meaning “to come together”), and entered the English language in the 15th century, initially used in academic and literary contexts to describe artistic or poetic devices.

Additional Information

Incongruity can be intentional or unintentional, and it can be used to create a sense of surprise, irony, or drama. It is particularly prominent in literature and art, where it is used to highlight themes, contrast ideas, and explore the human experience. The incongruous can be a thought-provoking or visually striking element in a work of art, a performance, or even an ordinary situation. It can challenge our expectations, make us question our assumptions, and even inspire us to see the world from a different perspective. In everyday life, we may encounter incongruity when different styles, cultures, or ideas clash. For instance, wearing a traditional dress to a rock concert might be seen as incongruous, as would serving haute cuisine in a casual restaurant.

Usage Notes

When using the word “incongruous” in a sentence, it is essential to consider the context and the intended meaning. It can be used to describe a visual or aural contrast, a mismatch between ideas or styles, or even a sense of discomfort or unease. Example sentences:

• “The vibrant colors in the artist’s latest painting created an unmistakable sense of incongruity in the midst of the stark cityscape.”
• “The contrast between the serene, Baroque-style music and the violent, dystopian setting of the film was jarringly incongruous.”

Cultural References

The concept of incongruity has been explored in various forms of art, literature, and music throughout history. From The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer to the works of modern-day writer Martin Amis, incongruity has been used to push the boundaries of creativity and challenge societal norms.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some idiomatic expressions that include the word “incongruous” include: having it both ways and when it rains it pours or they all get equal but not actually feeling they are equal or neither feeling as having much as the others, one’s sense of loss is not as much as the other’s loss, be for other guy but not for you.

Related Words or Phrases

• Discordance
• Inharmonious
• Misfit

Collocations

• Incorrigible, despite incongruous
• Ill-matched pieces come together to form which the art “incongruous to incorporate into which set not much is done to resolve them hence the item in which that have led the outcome now then by which be to which could be of them such that of them

Frequency of Use

The word “incongruous” is relatively rare in everyday language but is frequently encountered in literary, artistic, or academic contexts.

Common Misspellings

• incongruus
• incongruousy
• incongruusly