aberrant

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: deviant, anomalous, peculiar

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of aberrant

Deviating from what is normal, expected, or usual, often in a way that is unusual, irregular, or problematic.

Origin of aberrant

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: aberrāre

Original meaning: to wander away, stray

How it evolved: Initially used to describe physical straying or wandering, it later evolved to denote deviation from norms or expected behavior.

Borrowed from Latin 'aberrant-', meaning 'wandering away,' the word originally described physical or metaphorical deviation.

First known use: Late 16th century

How to Remember aberrant

Think of 'a bear ran'—a bear running through a city would be highly unusual and deviant from the norm!

Synonyms for aberrant

Antonyms of aberrant

aberrant in a Sentence

  1. The scientist's aberrant methodology raised questions about the reliability of his findings.
  2. Her aberrant behavior at the formal dinner left everyone stunned and confused.
  3. The aberrant patterns in the data suggested the presence of an unknown variable influencing the results.

aberrant in Literature & Culture

The word 'aberrant' frequently appears in psychological and sociological texts to describe behaviors or phenomena that deviate from societal norms, such as criminal activity or unusual trends.

Usage Notes

While 'aberrant' can describe behavior or patterns, it often connotes a deviation that is surprising, problematic, or worthy of attention. It is not typically used to describe minor or trivial deviations.

Why aberrant Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is important for GRE test-takers because it frequently appears in reading comprehension and sentence equivalence questions, testing students' understanding of nuanced deviations from norms.

Word Family

aberrance (noun)
The state or condition of being aberrant.
aberration (noun)
A departure from what is normal or expected, often in a negative sense.
aberrantly (adverb)
In a manner that deviates from the norm.

Did You Know?

  • The term 'aberrant' is often used in biology to describe organisms that deviate from their species' typical traits or behavior.
  • In astronomy, 'aberration' refers to the apparent displacement of stars caused by the motion of the Earth through space.
  • The word shares its root with 'errant,' which also conveys the idea of straying or wandering.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with A

  • abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
  • aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
  • abet — assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable