incongruous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
    • a plan incongruous with reason
    • incongruous behavior
    • a joke that was incongruous with polite conversation

WordNet

In*con"gru*ous adjective
Etymology
L. incongruus. See In- not, and Congruous.
Definitions
  1. Not congruous; reciprocally disagreeing; not capable of harmonizing or readily assimilating; inharmonious; inappropriate; unsuitable; not fitting; inconsistent; improper; as, an incongruous remark; incongruous behavior, action, dress, etc. "Incongruous mixtures of opinions." I. Taylor. "Made up of incongruous parts." Macaulay.
    Incongruous denotes that kind of absence of harmony or suitableness of which the taste and experience of men takes cognizance. C. J. Smith.
    Syn. -- Inconsistent; unsuitable; inharmonious; disagreeing; absurd; inappropriate; unfit; improper. See Inconsistent. -- In*con"gru*ous*ly, adv. -- In*con"gru*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913