deviant

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vi·​ant ˈdē-vē-ənt 

: straying or deviating especially from an accepted norm (see norm sense 2)

deviant behavior

deviant

2 of 2

noun

plural deviants

: someone or something that deviates from a norm

especially : a person who differs markedly (as in social adjustment or behavior) from what is considered normal or acceptable

social/moral/sexual deviants

Those who commit crimes also watch TV, go to the grocery store, and have their hair cut. Thus, while our stereotypes may suggest that there is a wide gulf between deviants and conventional people …, the behavior of deviants is often very conventional.

—Paul C. Higgins and Richard R. Butler

The theory thus centers on the question: What are the processes through which people are assigned a social identity as deviants by others and enter upon ongoing careers as deviants?

—Mary Beth Norton et al.

Acts of punishment thus designate who is in our community by clearly defining who is not in our community. Social solidarity is purchased through the punishment of deviants.

—Mark Colvin

Did you know?

Deviant & Deviate

Deviant and deviate share a common root (the Latin deviare “to wander off the road, swerve, deviate”) and have some similarities in meaning, but they differ in notable ways. Deviant has functioned in English as an adjective (since the 15th century) and as a noun (since the early 20th century), in each case with a sense that suggests a straying from an accepted norm or from what is considered standard behavior. In contrast to deviant’s socially prescriptive connotations, the verb deviate often implies a less judgmental sense of swerving from the usual way (as in “he never deviated from his routine of drinking coffee with breakfast.”)

Synonyms

Adjective

• aberrant
• aberrational
• abnormal
• anomalous
• atypical
• deviate
• devious
• irregular
• unnatural
• untypical

Noun

• bohemian
• boho
• counterculturist
• enfant terrible
• free spirit
• heretic
• iconoclast
• individualist
• lone ranger
• lone wolf
• loner
• maverick
• nonconformer
• nonconformist

Examples of deviant in a Sentence

Adjective

a study of deviant behavior among criminals

some studies show that many violent criminals begin exhibiting deviant behavior in early childhood

Noun

branded as social deviants by a society that did not value self-expression

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Such odds and ends of deviant behavior don’t add up to a coherent personality, much less an ideology that could help tip the film into genuine provocation. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024

Maynard taught at various schools, including as an adjunct faculty member in Santa Clara University’s sociology department and as a lecturer at Sonoma State University specializing in criminal justice, cults and deviant behavior. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024

Noun

Meanwhile, a deviant killer operating in the yakuza underworld seems to be shadowing their moves. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 1 May 2025

The 1972 thriller film Deliverance showed rural residents in a much harsher light, turning them into criminal, deviant villains. —Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see deviate entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

deviant

1 of 2 adjective

de·​vi·​ant

ˈdē-vē-ənt

: deviating especially from some accepted standard of behavior or morals

deviant

2 of 2 noun

: a person whose behavior or morals differs from accepted or normal standards

Medical Definition

deviant

1 of 2 adjective

de·​vi·​ant -ənt 

: deviating especially from some accepted norm : characterized by deviation (as from a standard of conduct)

socially deviant behavior

deviant

2 of 2 noun

: something that deviates from a norm

especially : a person who differs markedly (as in social adjustment or sexual behavior) from what is considered normal for a group