incongruously
UK[ɪnˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əs.li]US[ɪnˈkɑːŋ.ɡru.əs.li]
adv
in a way that is strange or does not fit in with what is normal or expected
Morpheme Breakdown
in
congru
ously
in
not
congru
agree, correspond
ously
adverb suffix
Etymology
the adverb 'incongruously' is built upon the adjective 'incongruous'. its core is the latin verb 'congruere', meaning "to come together, meet, agree," which itself is composed of 'con-' (together) and a root related to moving or running. the prefix 'in-' negates this, forming 'incongruous' to describe something that does not come together or agree with its surroundings. the suffix '-ous' transforms it into an adjective meaning "characterized by not agreeing," and the final '-ly' adapts it into an adverb. thus, the word's literal journey from "not running together" evolves into the modern sense of describing an action done in a manner that is out of place or inconsistent.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + congru (agree, correspond) + ously (adverb suffix)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not".
- congru: from latin 'congruere', meaning "to come together, agree, correspond".
- ously: a combination of the latin-derived adjective-forming suffix '-ous' (meaning "full of, characterized by") and the english adverb-forming suffix '-ly'.
Examples
the modern sculpture looked incongruously out of place in the classical garden.
he was dressed in a formal suit but spoke incongruously in casual slang.
a note of sadness incongruously entered her otherwise cheerful speech.