Aberrant Meaning
/əˈbɛɹ.ənt/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjDiffering from the norm.
adjStraying from the right way; deviating from morality or truth.
Sentence Examples
Tom's aberrant thinking persists.
The scientist noticed an aberrant pattern in the experimental data.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist was puzzled by the ____ behavior of the lab rats, which deviated from all previous observations.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ behavior lately has worried his close friends.
Word Origin & History
From Latin aberrāns, present active participle of aberrō (“go astray; err”), from ab (“from”) + errō (“to wander”). See aberr.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been exterminated."
— 1859, Charles Darwin, On the Origin of the Species:
"Also I think other birders realise you are struggling a bit when you start talking about aberrants[.]"
— 1980, Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book, page 87:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist was puzzled by the ____ behavior of the lab rats, which deviated from all previous observations.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ behavior lately has worried his close friends.