What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abnormality
Example
The doctor detected an abnormality in the patient's blood test. [abnormality: noun]
Example
His behavior was considered an abnormality by his peers. [abnormality: noun]
anomaly
Example
The scientist discovered an anomaly in the data that could not be explained. [anomaly: noun]
Example
The weather forecast predicted an anomaly in the temperature for this time of year. [anomaly: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abnormality is more common than anomaly in academic and medical literature, but both words are used in everyday language. Abnormality is more specific and refers to a wider range of deviations from the norm, while anomaly is more general and can describe any deviation from the norm.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abnormality and anomaly?
Abnormality is more formal than anomaly, which is used more casually in everyday language. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.
