Definition

A situation or thing that does not fit well with what is expected or is out of place.

Example

The incongruity of the bright pink house in the middle of a traditional neighborhood caught everyone's attention.

Conversation

Have you noticed the incongruity in that movie's plot?

Yeah, it was strange how the characters acted completely differently at times.

Exactly! It felt like they were in two different stories.

Right? That really took me out of the experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Incongruity → It is formed from "in-" (meaning not) and "congruere" (meaning to agree or fit together) and the suffix "-ity" (meaning the state or quality of). The word describes the state of not fitting together or being out of harmony.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('in-') fitting together ('congruere') — that's why incongruity means a lack of harmony or agreement.

Visually Confused Words