Word
deviate
Phoneticsde·vi·ate, stress on the first syllable
/ˈdiviˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to change from a plan or norm
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to do something different from a plan, a rule, or what is normal.
v. to depart from an established course, principle, or standard. Intransitive; typically takes the preposition 'from'.
Español:desviar
“The pilot had to deviate from the original flight path to avoid the storm.”
“The researchers decided not to deviate from the established protocol, ensuring that the results remained comparable to previous studies.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'from'.
02a difference in value
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. the difference between a measured number and the average or expected number.
n. the difference between a particular observed value and a fixed reference value, such as the mean.
“We need to calculate the deviate for each piece of data in this set.”
“In this statistical model, each deviate represents the distance of an individual score from the group average.”
Usage
Common in statistical analysis; often replaced by 'deviation' in general contexts.
Synonyms
03a person with unusual behavior
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sociology Formal · Technical
n. a person whose behavior is very different from what most people think is normal.
n. a person whose social behavior or psychological state departs significantly from established norms.
“In the past, people who didn't follow social rules were often labeled as deviates.”
“The study examines how society labels certain individuals as deviates based on their refusal to adopt traditional career paths.”
Teaching tip
This noun form is less common today than the adjective 'deviant'. In modern speech, it can carry a strong negative or judgmental tone.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“It also claimed the convoy had deviated from the route that had been coordinated with the military.” “These include whether it deviates from a perfect sphere, and whether the black hole has any additional properties beyond spin that influence its behavior.” “Whether this legal challenge will succeed depends in part on whether judges will continue to defer to the president on these particular levies, no matter how much they deviate from previous practice.” Etymology
From Late Latin dēviātus, perfect passive participle of dēviō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Compare French dévier.
From a substantivation of Late Latin dēviātus, see Etymology 1 and -ate (noun-forming suffix) for more.
From Late Latin dēviātus, see Etymology 1 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/deviate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0