adj
C2
Proficient
deviant
DEE-vee-uhnt
Deviant (adj) means Different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way society disapproves of. Example: “The study looked at deviant behaviour among teenagers.”
adj
1
Different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way society disapproves of.
"The study looked at deviant behaviour among teenagers."
"His deviant approach to management ruffled feathers at first, then paid off."
noun
1
A person whose behaviour clearly breaks accepted social norms.
"The tabloid labelled him a deviant after the scandal broke."
"Support groups exist for people wrongly branded as deviants."
How to use deviant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that strays noticeably from what is considered normal.
When to use it
Often used clinically or judgmentally rather than neutrally — it usually carries a negative charge.
Common pairings
deviant behaviour
sexual deviant
social deviant
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Word forms
- Plural
- deviants
- Comparative
- more deviant
- Superlative
- most deviant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The study looked at _____ behaviour among teenagers.
Etymology
From Latin dēviāns, "straying" or "turning off the road" — literally de- ("away") + via ("way, road").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deviant
See all rhymes for deviant →Frequently asked questions
What does “deviant” mean?
The word “deviant” means different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way society disapproves of. In plain terms, someone or something that strays noticeably from what is considered normal.
How do you pronounce “deviant”?
“Deviant” is pronounced DEE-vee-uhnt (/ˈdiː.vi.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deviant” in a sentence?
Here is “deviant” used in a sentence: “The study looked at deviant behaviour among teenagers.”
What is another word for “deviant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “deviant” include nonconformist, irregularity and outlier.
What part of speech is “deviant”?
Depending on how it is used, “deviant” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “deviant” come from?
The word “deviant” comes from Latin. From Latin dēviāns, "straying" or "turning off the road" — literally de- ("away") + via ("way, road").
How many meanings does “deviant” have?
“Deviant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way society disapproves of.
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