Deviation Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/dɪˈveɪʃən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A difference or departure from a standard, norm, or expected course of action, behavior, or condition.

Examples

• The deviation from the original plan caused significant delays.
• Her artistic style was a deviation from the traditional techniques used by her peers.

Synonyms

• Variation
• Departure
• Aberration

Antonyms

• Conformity
• Uniformity
• Consistency

Additional Information

Deviation can refer to a range of concepts, including statistical deviation, which measures the difference between individual data points and the mean, and social deviation, which refers to behavior that differs from societal norms. In engineering, deviation can refer to the difference between a design specification and the actual implementation.

In psychology, deviation can refer to abnormal or unusual behavior, while in mathematics, it can refer to the difference between a predicted value and the actual value. In general, deviation can be seen as a measure of the difference between what is expected and what actually occurs.

Deviation can be used in various contexts, including science, engineering, social sciences, and everyday life. It is an important concept in understanding and analyzing data, behavior, and systems.

Etymology

The word “deviation” comes from the Latin “deviatio,” which means “a turning away from.” It has been used in the English language since the 15th century to describe a departure from a standard or norm.

Usage Notes

Deviation can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of deviating or the state of being deviant. As a verb, it means to depart from a standard or norm.

Deviation can be used in formal and informal contexts, including academic writing, technical reports, and everyday conversation.

Cultural References

Deviation has been referenced in popular culture, including in music, film, and literature. For example, the concept of deviation is explored in the novel “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, which depicts a society where deviation from the norm is discouraged.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Deviation from the norm
• Deviation from the standard
• Deviation from the expected course

Related Words or Phrases

• Variation
• Departure
• Aberration
• Conformity
• Uniformity

Collocations

• Statistical deviation
• Social deviation
• Deviation from the mean
• Deviation from the norm

Frequency of Use

Deviation is a moderately common word in modern language, used in a variety of contexts, including science, engineering, social sciences, and everyday life.

Common Misspellings

• Deviaton
• Deviatione
• Deviations