incongruous
Definitions
Out of place or clashing with its surroundings or context; not fitting in
格格不入的，不协调的，不合时宜的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (not) + con- (together) + gru (meet, fit) + -ous (adj.) = 'not fitting together.' If congruous things line up with their surroundings, incongruous things stick out and clash — a clown at a funeral, a skyscraper among cottages.
Root gru still carries 6 more wordsUsage Guide
- Usually points to a clash with a context: 'incongruous with X' or just 'looked/seemed incongruous (in/at a place).'
- Often softened with 'somehow,' 'oddly,' or 'strangely incongruous.'
- More common and more natural than congruous (its positive form is rarely used).
Example Sentences
- 1.
His bright Hawaiian shirt looked incongruous at the formal dinner.
- 2.
There was something incongruous about a library this quiet in a noisy city.
- 3.
The cheerful music felt incongruous with the film's grim ending.
- 4.
It seemed incongruous that such a gentle man could write such violent stories.
Easily Confused
incongruous vs inappropriate — Incongruous is about not matching the surroundings (it clashes, it's out of place); inappropriate is about not being suitable or proper (it breaks rules of conduct). A pink tuxedo at a black-tie event is incongruous; an offensive joke at a funeral is inappropriate. Clashing visually/tonally → incongruous; violating norms → inappropriate.