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

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

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

more deviant comparative, deviants plural, most deviant superlative

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The study looked at _____ behaviour among teenagers.

Etymology

From Latin dēviāns, "straying" or "turning off the road" — literally de- ("away") + via ("way, road").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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nonconformist irregularity outlier

Related words

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Rhymes for deviant

giant variant radiant valiant defiant reliant exfoliant brilliant compliant

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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