Aberrant
adjective
Different from what is normal or expected, typically in an undesirable or worrying way.
His aberrant behavior worried his friends.
Often appears as...
- aberrant behavior
- aberrant results
adjective
Departing from an accepted standard in genetics or biology.
An aberrant chromosome was detected in the genetic test.
Often appears as...
- aberrant gene
- aberrant chromosome
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Different from what is normal or expected, typically in an undesirable or worrying way.
His aberrant behavior worried his friends.
Often appears as...
- aberrant behavior
- aberrant results
adjective
Departing from an accepted standard in genetics or biology.
An aberrant chromosome was detected in the genetic test.
Often appears as...
- aberrant gene
- aberrant chromosome
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Undertone
The word 'aberrant' often suggests something is negatively different and possibly alarming.
The principal discussed the student's aberrant conduct with concern.
Pro Tip 2/3Expectation Contrast
Use 'aberrant' to highlight a significant deviation from the expected or typical pattern.
Her aberrant choice of attire made her stand out at the formal event.
Pro Tip 3/3Caution in Use
Be careful not to label people 'aberrant' casually as it can be offensive and judgmental.
Referring to someone's cultural practices as 'aberrant' can be disrespectful.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Undertone
The word 'aberrant' often suggests something is negatively different and possibly alarming.
The principal discussed the student's aberrant conduct with concern.
Pro Tip 2/3Expectation Contrast
Use 'aberrant' to highlight a significant deviation from the expected or typical pattern.
Her aberrant choice of attire made her stand out at the formal event.
Pro Tip 3/3Caution in Use
Be careful not to label people 'aberrant' casually as it can be offensive and judgmental.
Referring to someone's cultural practices as 'aberrant' can be disrespectful.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Undertone
The word 'aberrant' often suggests something is negatively different and possibly alarming.
The principal discussed the student's aberrant conduct with concern.
Pro Tip 2/3Expectation Contrast
Use 'aberrant' to highlight a significant deviation from the expected or typical pattern.
Her aberrant choice of attire made her stand out at the formal event.
Pro Tip 3/3Caution in Use
Be careful not to label people 'aberrant' casually as it can be offensive and judgmental.
Referring to someone's cultural practices as 'aberrant' can be disrespectful.
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Video examples
What Are You Touching in...
turnstiles one of the real goals to know very well what baseline and normal looks like so if we did see an aberrant species or bacteria we could know that it is different enough to be able to react to it but the obvious application of it would be provided defense or just
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
not as an aberrant symptom of schizophrenia to be endured, but a complex, significant and meaningful experience to be explored. Together, we envisage and enact a society that understands and respects voice hearing,
Video examples
What Are You Touching in...
turnstiles one of the real goals to know very well what baseline and normal looks like so if we did see an aberrant species or bacteria we could know that it is different enough to be able to react to it but the obvious application of it would be provided defense or just
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
not as an aberrant symptom of schizophrenia to be endured, but a complex, significant and meaningful experience to be explored. Together, we envisage and enact a society that understands and respects voice hearing,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Hilton Als
American Writer
I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. That music - folk, rock, some disco - was considered soulless, aberrant, just one more example of the Caucasian's desire to scream and yell and demand whatever their privilege and perpetual adolescence dictated they should demand.
Quote examples
Ernst Mayr
German Scientist
I had found again and again that the most aberrant population of a species - often having reached species rank, and occasionally classified even as a separate genus - occurred at a peripheral location, indeed usually at the most isolated peripheral location.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
It is known that wildfires behave unpredictably - this is fundamental - but it is my experience that humans in the presence of wildfire are also likely to behave in aberrant and unpredictable ways.
Quote examples
Linda Colley
British Historian
Far from being aberrant and un-British, criticising a war in which our troops are actively engaged is a long-established parliamentary and political tradition.
Quote examples
Tinsley Mortimer
American Celebrity
I think my mother has always understood what a romantic idealist I am, so she's never had trouble supporting what might be aberrant behavior to others.
Quote examples
Hilton Als
American Writer
I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. That music - folk, rock, some disco - was considered soulless, aberrant, just one more example of the Caucasian's desire to scream and yell and demand whatever their privilege and perpetual adolescence dictated they should demand.
Quote examples
Ernst Mayr
German Scientist
I had found again and again that the most aberrant population of a species - often having reached species rank, and occasionally classified even as a separate genus - occurred at a peripheral location, indeed usually at the most isolated peripheral location.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
It is known that wildfires behave unpredictably - this is fundamental - but it is my experience that humans in the presence of wildfire are also likely to behave in aberrant and unpredictable ways.
Quote examples
Linda Colley
British Historian
Far from being aberrant and un-British, criticising a war in which our troops are actively engaged is a long-established parliamentary and political tradition.
Quote examples
Tinsley Mortimer
American Celebrity
I think my mother has always understood what a romantic idealist I am, so she's never had trouble supporting what might be aberrant behavior to others.
Example 1 of 5
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