Irregular plurals in English do not follow the normal rule of adding -s or -es to make plurals. These special words change in different ways and must be learned by memory. In this blog post, you will explore 200 irregular plurals with their meanings to help you use them correctly in your speaking and writing.
What are Irregular Plurals?
Irregular plurals are words that do not use -s or -es to show more than one. They change spelling in a different way.
For example:
- child → children (not “childs”)
- man → men (not “mans”)
Why Learn Irregular Plurals?
✅ They help you speak correctly
✅ They help you write better English
✅ They help you understand books and stories
✅ They make your English look smart and natural
Types of Irregular Plurals
I have divided these 200 irregular plurals into four groups to help you learn them easily.
People & Animals Irregular Plurals
These are about humans and animals.
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| man | men | adult male |
| woman | women | adult female |
| child | children | young person |
| person | people | many persons |
| foot | feet | bottom of your leg |
| tooth | teeth | in your mouth |
| goose | geese | a bird |
| mouse | mice | small animal |
| ox | oxen | farm animal |
| louse | lice | small insect |
| sheep | sheep | farm animal |
| deer | deer | forest animal |
| fish | fish | animal in water |
| salmon | salmon | fish type |
| trout | trout | fish type |
| reindeer | reindeer | deer type |
| moose | moose | large animal |
| bison | bison | wild cow |
| elk | elk | forest animal |
| swine | swine | pig |
| shrimp | shrimp | small sea animal |
| squid | squid | sea animal |
| quail | quail | small bird |
| antelope | antelope | fast animal |
| caribou | caribou | deer type |
Things & Objects Irregular Plurals
These are about things around you.
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| cactus | cacti | plant |
| fungus | fungi | grows on plants |
| nucleus | nuclei | cell center |
| syllabus | syllabi | school plan |
| analysis | analyses | study of something |
| basis | bases | reason or start |
| crisis | crises | big problem |
| thesis | theses | big research |
| axis | axes | line around something |
| oasis | oases | water in desert |
| focus | foci | center point |
| stimulus | stimuli | something that causes action |
| appendix | appendices | book ending part |
| index | indices | list |
| matrix | matrices | math word |
| vortex | vortices | spinning wind |
| curriculum | curricula | school course |
| datum | data | pieces of information |
| bacterium | bacteria | small germs |
| medium | media | way to show something |
| radius | radii | line of circle |
| genus | genera | plant or animal group |
| formula | formulae | math rules |
| alga | algae | water plant |
| vertebra | vertebrae | bone of spine |
Food & Nature Irregular Plurals
These words are about food and nature.
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| loaf | loaves | bread |
| leaf | leaves | on a plant |
| half | halves | one of two parts |
| calf | calves | baby cow |
| wolf | wolves | wild animal |
| life | lives | being alive |
| knife | knives | sharp tool |
| wife | wives | married woman |
| shelf | shelves | where things are kept |
| elf | elves | fairy being |
| scarf | scarves | cloth for neck |
| tomato | tomatoes | red food |
| potato | potatoes | vegetable |
| mango | mangoes | fruit |
| hero | heroes | brave person |
| echo | echoes | sound repeat |
| tornado | tornadoes | strong wind |
| mosquito | mosquitoes | biting insect |
| avocado | avocados | fruit |
| volcano | volcanoes | mountain with lava |
| cocoa | cocoas | chocolate plant |
| bamboo | bamboos | plant |
| domino | dominoes | game piece |
| embryo | embryos | baby before birth |
| zero | zeroes | number |
Daily Use Irregular Plurals
These include more daily-use words.
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| mouse (computer) | mice | device for computer |
| footstep | footsteps | steps |
| aircraft | aircraft | flying machine |
| spacecraft | spacecraft | space machine |
| means | means | way to do something |
| species | species | type of animal or plant |
| series | series | a group in order |
| deer | deer | animal |
| sheep | sheep | animal |
| swine | swine | pig |
| offspring | offspring | baby animal or human |
| headquarters | headquarters | main office |
| scissors | scissors | cutting tool |
| pants | pants | clothes for legs |
| shorts | shorts | small pants |
| sunglasses | sunglasses | eye protector |
| clothes | clothes | things you wear |
| jeans | jeans | pants style |
| goods | goods | things you sell |
| news | news | information |
| whereabouts | whereabouts | place location |
| stairs | stairs | steps |
| outskirts | outskirts | outside of a city |
| savings | savings | money kept |
| wages | wages | payment |
These 200 irregular plurals will help you speak and write correct English. They are very common in stories, books, and daily talking. Try to remember them and use them in your writing and speaking.
Read More
