Definition

deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal or unusual

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of Speech

adjective

Synonyms

atypical, abnormal, deviant, eccentric, anomalous, irregular, peculiar, strange, unconventional, bizarre

Antonyms

normal, typical, conventional, orthodox, standard, regular

Word Forms

Part of Speech Words
Noun aberrances, aberrant, aberrations, aberrancies, aberrancy, aberration, aberrants, aberrance
Verb aberrate
Adjective aberrant
Adverb None

Example Sentences

  • His aberrant behavior raised eyebrows among his peers, as he consistently defied societal norms, choosing a path less traveled, and embracing his unique identity with unwavering authenticity, inspiring others to celebrate their own individuality.

  • The results of the experiment were aberrant, and we had to redo the whole thing.

  • The aberrant weather patterns have been causing havoc for farmers in the region.

  • The new employee’s aberrant dress sense stood out in a corporate environment.

Usage

The word “aberrant” is an adjective that describes something that deviates from what is considered normal or expected. This deviation can be in behavior, thought, or physical appearance. For example, if someone’s behavior is aberrant, it means that their actions are unusual or unexpected in a given situation. If someone’s physical appearance is aberrant, it means that they look different from what is considered typical or conventional.

The word “aberrant” is often used in scientific and technical contexts, such as biology, genetics, and statistics, to describe deviations from established norms. In biology, for instance, aberrant cells are cells that have mutated and are no longer functioning normally. In statistics, an aberrant data point is one that is significantly different from the rest of the data.

The prefix “ab-” in “aberrant” means “away from” or “off,” and the root word “errant” comes from the Latin word “errare,” which means “to wander” or “to stray.” Together, they form a word that describes something or someone that has strayed from what is considered normal or expected.

Other variations of the word “aberrant” include “aberration,” which is a noun that refers to the act or state of deviating from what is considered normal, and “aberrancy,” which is a noun that refers to the quality of being aberrant.