Deviant: meaning, definitions and examples
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deviant
[ ˈdiːviənt ]
art
A person whose behavior deviates from what is considered acceptable or normal in a society. This term is often used in the context of art and creativity to describe someone who goes against traditional norms and conventions.
Synonyms
eccentric, nonconformist, rebel.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| deviant |
Use when describing behavior or characteristics that significantly differ from what is considered normal or acceptable, often with a negative connotation.
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| eccentric |
Best for describing someone who has unconventional or slightly strange habits or ideas in a way that is often seen as interesting or unusual rather than negative.
|
| nonconformist |
Suitable for describing someone who refuses to conform to established norms or rules, usually in a positive or neutral light, highlighting individuality and independence.
|
| rebel |
Used to describe someone who actively opposes or defies authority or traditional norms, often implying a more active or confrontational stance.
|
Examples of usage
- He was considered a deviant in the art world for his unconventional techniques.
- Many famous artists throughout history have been labeled as deviants for their controversial works.
psychology
In psychology, a deviant is an individual who deviates from the norm, often in terms of their thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. This term is used to describe behavior that is considered abnormal or outside the typical range of human behavior.
Synonyms
abnormal, anomalous, atypical.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| deviant |
Used to describe behavior or actions that significantly diverge from established social norms and are often viewed negatively or as undesirable.
|
| abnormal |
Refers to anything that deviates from the standard or usual, often used in medical or psychological contexts.
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| anomalous |
Indicates something that is out of the ordinary, unusual, or not fitting into a common pattern, often used in scientific or technical contexts.
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| atypical |
Used to describe someone or something that does not conform to the typical or expected characteristics, often with less negative connotation than 'abnormal'.
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Examples of usage
- The psychologist studied the behavior of deviants to better understand mental health disorders.
- Deviant behavior can sometimes be a sign of underlying psychological issues.
Translations
Translations of the word "deviant" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desviante
- anômalo
- excêntrico
🇮🇳 विचलित
- असामान्य
- विचित्र
🇩🇪 abweichend
- anormal
- exzentrisch
🇮🇩 menyimpang
- aneh
- eksentrik
🇺🇦 відхилений
- аномальний
- ексцентричний
🇵🇱 zboczony
- anormalny
- ekscentryczny
🇯🇵 逸脱した
- 異常な
- 風変わりな
🇫🇷 déviant
- anormal
- excentrique
🇪🇸 desviado
- anormal
- excéntrico
🇹🇷 sapkın
- anormal
- eksantrik
🇰🇷 일탈한
- 비정상적인
- 엉뚱한
🇸🇦 منحرف
- غير طبيعي
- شاذ
🇨🇿 odchylný
- abnormální
- výstřední
🇸🇰 odchylný
- abnormálny
- výstredný
🇨🇳 偏离的
- 异常的
- 古怪的
🇸🇮 odklonski
- nenavaden
- ekscentričen
🇮🇸 frávikinn
- óeðlilegur
- sérvitur
🇰🇿 ауытқыған
- аномальды
- эксцентричный
🇬🇪 გადახრილი
- ანომალიური
- ექსცენტრიკული
🇦🇿 sapma
- anormal
- eksantrik
🇲🇽 desviado
- anormal
- excéntrico
Etymology
The word 'deviant' has its origins in the Latin word 'devians', which means 'deviating'. It first appeared in English in the mid-15th century with the meaning 'departing from the norm'. Over time, the term has been used in various fields such as sociology, psychology, and art to describe individuals or behaviors that deviate from societal expectations. The concept of deviance has been a topic of study and debate in social sciences, exploring the boundaries of what is considered normal or acceptable in different contexts.
See also: deviating, deviation, deviations, undeviating.