incongruous
UK[ɪnˈkɒŋɡruəs]US[ɪnˈkɑːŋɡruəs]
adj
Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; out of place.
adj
Lacking in harmony, compatibility, or appropriateness.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
congru
ous
in
not
congru
agree, correspond
ous
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'incongruous' is built upon the Latin verb congruere, meaning "to come together, agree, correspond." This verb itself is composed of con- (together) and gruere (a form related to rushing or falling, suggesting a coming into alignment). The prefix in- negates this core idea, creating a sense of "not agreeing together." The suffix -ous was added to form an adjective. Thus, the literal meaning "not agreeing together" evolved logically into the modern abstract sense of being out of place, inappropriate, or lacking harmony with the context.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + congru (agree, correspond) + ous (adjective suffix)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not".
- congru: Latin origin, from the root congru- meaning "to come together, agree, correspond".
- ous: Latin origin via Old French, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "full of, characterized by".
Examples
The modern glass building looked incongruous amidst the historic stone cottages.
His loud, jovial laughter was incongruous with the solemn mood of the meeting.
The film's sudden shift from comedy to tragedy felt jarring and incongruous.