C2nounformallanguagepsychology
US/ˌɪn.kɑːnˈɡruː.ə.ti/
UK/ˌɪn.kɒnˈɡruː.ə.ti/
a lack of fit between things that are put together, so that they seem strange or out of place
In context
There was a certain incongruity in seeing a banker dressed as a clown at the meeting.
Much of the film's humor comes from the incongruity between the characters' words and their actions.
She noticed the incongruity of a modern glass tower standing next to the ancient temple.
Words that go with incongruity
noun + preposition
- incongruity betweenThe incongruity between his wealth and his old clothes surprised everyone.
- sense of incongruityThe sense of incongruity grew as the music changed.
- incongruity ofHe laughed at the incongruity of the situation.
adjective + noun
- striking incongruityThere is a striking incongruity in the way the company talks about safety.
- obvious incongruityThe obvious incongruity in his story made the police suspicious.
- comic incongruityThe comic incongruity of a cat in a tiny hat made the video popular.
- a certain incongruityThere was a certain incongruity in the scene, with a clown in the bank.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
the incongruity withCorrect: the incongruity between