adj
aberrant
uh-BEHR-uhnt
Aberrant (adj) means differing from what is normal or expected; deviating from the usual pattern. Example: “The scientists noted aberrant behavior in mice exposed to the chemical.”
adj
1
Differing from what is normal or expected; deviating from the usual pattern.
"The scientists noted aberrant behavior in mice exposed to the chemical."
"His aberrant spending habits worried his family."
How to use aberrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot normal — straying noticeably from the typical or expected pattern.
When to use it
Fairly formal; common in scientific, medical, and psychological writing.
Common pairings
aberrant behavior
aberrant cell growth
aberrant results
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Word forms
- Plural
- aberrants
- Comparative
- more aberrant
- Superlative
- most aberrant
Fill the gap
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The scientists noted _____ behavior in mice exposed to the chemical.
Etymology
From Latin aberrans, "wandering away," from ab- ("away") + errare ("to wander") — the same root as "err" and "error."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for aberrant
See all rhymes for aberrant →Frequently asked questions
What does “aberrant” mean?
The word “aberrant” means differing from what is normal or expected; deviating from the usual pattern. In plain terms, not normal — straying noticeably from the typical or expected pattern.
How do you pronounce “aberrant”?
“Aberrant” is pronounced uh-BEHR-uhnt (/əˈbɛɹ.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “aberrant” in a sentence?
Here is “aberrant” used in a sentence: “The scientists noted aberrant behavior in mice exposed to the chemical.”
What is another word for “aberrant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aberrant” include freak.
What part of speech is “aberrant”?
“Aberrant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “aberrant” come from?
The word “aberrant” comes from Latin. From Latin aberrans, "wandering away," from ab- ("away") + errare ("to wander") — the same root as "err" and "error.".
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