deviance

American  

[dee-vee-uhns] / ˈdi vi əns /

Also deviancy

noun

1. deviant quality or state.

2. deviant behavior.

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deviance British  

/ ˈdiːvɪəns /

noun

1. Also called: deviancy.  the act or state of being deviant

2. statistics a measure of the degree of fit of a statistical model compared to that of a more complete model

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Etymology

Origin of deviance

First recorded in 1940–45; devi(ant) + -ance

Explanation

Deviance refers to a state that is veering away from the norm. Wearing a chicken suit to work would definitely be an example of deviance, unless of course you're a mascot. If you know that deviating means to depart from what's normal, you won't be surprised that deviance is a condition of abnormal or aberrant behavior. Deviance includes behavior that is considered weird, odd, and strange. Sometimes, deviance could include illegal behavior. Since people don't agree on what's normal, they don't agree on what counts as deviance either.

Example Sentences

The study also showed that the brainstem can utilize other features of bat calls for deviance detection, such as rapid changes in frequency or volume, in addition to differences in pitch.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2024

“Because any time there is a deviance in regards to security protocols, that should be taken serious, it should be investigated,” Ms. Omar said.

From Washington Times • Jan. 16, 2023

Instead, partly by lifting the pressure of secrecy and diminishing the feeling of deviance, the talk will loosen the hold of hallucinations and, crucially, the grip of isolation.

From New York Times • May 17, 2022

The normalization of social and political deviance is a process meant to make that impossible.

From Salon • Jul. 21, 2021

To prepare for this eventuality, he ruled the house strictly according to tribal law, tolerating no deviance, particularly from his children.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane