aberrant

¹ab·er·rant

adjective \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-, -ˈbe-rənt; ˈa-bə-rənt, -ˌber-ənt, -ˌbe-rənt\

Definition of ABERRANT

1

: straying from the right or normal way

2

: deviating from the usual or natural type : atypical

— ab·er·rance \-ən(t)s\ noun

— ab·er·ran·cy \-ən(t)-sē\ noun

— ab·er·rant·ly adverb

Examples of ABERRANT

1. <a year of aberrant weather—record rainfall in the summer, record heat in the autumn>
2. <aberrant behavior can be a sign of rabies in a wild animal>
3. The stones, silvered in the moon's aberrant light, shone like spectral tombs, and the figures, which Dalgliesh knew were Helena, Lettie and the Bostocks, became discarnate shapes disappearing into the darkness. —P.D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
4. … as if he had happily spied an aberrant crocus amid the wintry gray scene of Presidential impeachment. —Francis X. Clines, New York Times, 8 Jan. 1999
5. … at the brief and aberrant moment in time when it was possible to believe that America owed its great place in the world to its military and moral virtue rather than to the weight of its currency. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992

Origin of ABERRANT

Latin aberrant-, aberrans, present participle of aberrare to go astray, from ab- + errare to wander, err

First Known Use: circa 1780

Related to ABERRANT

Synonyms

exceptional, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted

Antonyms

common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

Related Words

conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, striking; bizarre, deviant, eccentric, freakish, monstrous, oddball, outlandish, quaint, strange, weird; incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unimaginable, unthinkable

Near Antonyms

everyday, familiar, frequent

Rhymes with ABERRANT

afferent, apparent, declarant, efferent, grandparent, inerrant, knight-errant, stepparent, transparent

²ab·er·rant

noun \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-, -ˈbe-rənt; ˈa-bə-rənt, -ˌber-ənt, -ˌbe-rənt\

Definition of ABERRANT

1

: a group, individual, or structure that is not normal or typical : an aberrant group, individual, or structure

2

: a person whose behavior departs substantially from the standard

Origin of ABERRANT

(see ¹aberrant)

First Known Use: 1938

ab·er·rant

adjective \a-ˈber-ənt, ə-; ˈab-ə-rənt, -ˌe(ə)r-ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ABERRANT

1

: straying from the right or normal way <aberrant behavior>

2

: deviating from the usual or natural type : atypical <aberrant salivary tissue>