óeðlilegur

Óeðlilegur is an Icelandic adjective meaning unnatural or not natural. It describes something that does not conform to the natural order, to common experience, or to what is normally expected. The word is formed from the noun eðli (nature) with the suffix -ilegur, preceded by the negating prefix ó-.

In usage, it can describe phenomena, events, or behavior that seems out of the ordinary or contrary to natural laws. It is distinct from ethical or moral judgments; for example, óeðlilegur atburður refers to an unnatural event, while terms like ósiðferðilegur refer to immoral behavior. The neuter form is óeðlilegt; feminine is óeðlileg; masculine is óeðlilegur. In plural, forms include óeðlilegir (masc), óeðlilegar (fem), and óeðlileg (neut).

Etymology and usage notes: The word is a standard part of modern Icelandic; its sense is generally “not natural” rather than “unethical.” It is commonly used in science, philosophy, and literature to describe anomalies, unnatural phenomena, or surprising behavior. The term sits alongside related forms such as eðlilegur (natural) and is not typically employed to express moral judgments.

See also: eðlilegur (natural) and ósiðferðilegur (unethical).