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noun C2 Proficient

aberration

ab-uh-RAY-shn

Aberration (noun) means something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical. Example: “The company called the loss a temporary aberration, not a trend.”

noun
1
Something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical.
"The company called the loss a temporary aberration, not a trend."
"Her outburst was an aberration — she's usually calm and patient."
2
(optics) A defect in a lens or mirror that prevents light from focusing perfectly.
"The telescope's image was blurred by chromatic aberration."

How to use aberration

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA one-off departure from the normal pattern — something that doesn't fit the usual trend.

Common pairings
statistical aberration chromatic aberration a brief aberration

Word forms

aberrations plural

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The company called the loss a temporary _____, not a trend.

Etymology

From Latin aberratio, "a wandering away," from the same root as aberrant.

Origin: Latin

distortion deviance aberrance aberrancy optical aberration

Related words

Rhymes for aberration

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Frequently asked questions

What does “aberration” mean?

The word “aberration” means something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical. In plain terms, a one-off departure from the normal pattern — something that doesn't fit the usual trend.

How do you pronounce “aberration”?

“Aberration” is pronounced ab-uh-RAY-shn (/ˌæb.əˈɹeɪ.ʃn̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “aberration” in a sentence?

Here is “aberration” used in a sentence: “The company called the loss a temporary aberration, not a trend.”

What part of speech is “aberration”?

“Aberration” is a noun.

Where does the word “aberration” come from?

The word “aberration” comes from Latin. From Latin aberratio, "a wandering away," from the same root as aberrant.

How many meanings does “aberration” have?

“Aberration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical.

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