noun Uncommon

deviation

dee-vee-AY-shuhn

Deviation (noun) means a departure from an expected, planned, or normal course of action. Example: “Any deviation from the safety procedure must be reported immediately.”

noun

A departure from an expected, planned, or normal course of action.

"Any deviation from the safety procedure must be reported immediately."

"Her essay showed a clear deviation from the usual exam answer."

In statistics, a measure of how far a single value differs from the average.

"The standard deviation tells you how spread out the data is."

How to use deviation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA move or difference away from what is normal, expected, or planned.

Common pairings

standard deviation deviation from the norm minor deviation

Word forms

deviations plural

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Any _____ from the safety procedure must be reported immediately.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin dēviātiō, from dēviāre, "to turn off the road" — built from de- ("off") + via ("way").

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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difference departure diversion deflection deviance deflexion divergence digression divagation

Related words

going difference conflict entry passing entertainment contrast arrival

Rhymes for deviation

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension oxidation

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Frequently asked questions

What does “deviation” mean?

The word “deviation” means a departure from an expected, planned, or normal course of action. In plain terms, a move or difference away from what is normal, expected, or planned.

How do you pronounce “deviation”?

“Deviation” is pronounced dee-vee-AY-shuhn (/ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “deviation” in a sentence?

Here is “deviation” used in a sentence: “Any deviation from the safety procedure must be reported immediately.”

What part of speech is “deviation”?

“Deviation” is a noun.

Where does the word “deviation” come from?

The word “deviation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin dēviātiō, from dēviāre, "to turn off the road" — built from de- ("off") + via ("way").

Is “deviation” a common word?

“Deviation” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “deviation” have?

“Deviation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a departure from an expected, planned, or normal course of action.

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