noun
aberration
ab-uh-RAY-shn
noun
1
Something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical.
"The company called the loss a temporary aberration, not a trend."
"Her outburst was an aberration — she's usually calm and patient."
2
(optics) A defect in a lens or mirror that prevents light from focusing perfectly.
"The telescope's image was blurred by chromatic aberration."
How to Use Aberration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA one-off departure from the normal pattern — something that doesn't fit the usual trend.
Common pairings
statistical aberration
chromatic aberration
a brief aberration
Word Forms
aberrations plural
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The company called the loss a temporary _____, not a trend.
Etymology
From Latin aberratio, "a wandering away," from the same root as aberrant.