deviance

[ dee-vee-uhns ]

noun

1. deviant quality or state.
2. deviant behavior.

deviance

/ ˈdiːvɪəns /

noun

1. Also calleddeviancy 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deviance¹

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

Example Sentences

Referring to an assessment of Mr Pelicot made by a psychiatrist earlier in the trial, Ms Chabaud said that the defendant presented "multiple sexual deviances".

From BBC

For several proteins, there were no measurable deviances in the morning and evening levels no matter whether the mothers pumped or breastfed.

From Science Daily

The character’s deviance from all authority and especially male authority lives in her feminism, her clothes and her music taste.

From Salon

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

Across Africa, hyenas are seen as evil, greedy, and associated with witchcraft and sexual deviance.

From National Geographic