adj
aberrant
uh-BEHR-uhnt
adj
1
Differing from what is normal or expected; deviating from the usual pattern.
"The scientists noted aberrant behavior in mice exposed to the chemical."
"His aberrant spending habits worried his family."
How to Use Aberrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot normal — straying noticeably from the typical or expected pattern.
When to use it
Fairly formal; common in scientific, medical, and psychological writing.
Common pairings
aberrant behavior
aberrant cell growth
aberrant results
Word Forms
more aberrant comparative, aberrants plural, most aberrant superlative
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The scientists noted _____ behavior in mice exposed to the chemical.
Etymology
From Latin aberrans, "wandering away," from ab- ("away") + errare ("to wander") — the same root as "err" and "error."