deviance

/ˈdiviəns/

/ˈdiviɪns/

Other forms: deviances

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.

Definitions of deviance

1. noun

   a state or condition markedly different from the norm
   synonyms: aberrance, aberrancy, aberration

   types:

   chromosomal aberration, chromosomal anomaly, chromosonal disorder, chrosomal abnormality

   any change in the normal structure or number of chromosomes; often results in physical or mental abnormalities

   deflection, warp

   a twist or aberration; especially a perverse or abnormal way of judging or acting

   monosomy

   chromosomal abnormality consisting of the absence of one chromosome from the normal diploid number

   trisomy

   chrosomal abnormality in which there is one more than the normal number of chromosomes in a cell

   sex-linked disorder

   any disease or abnormality that is determined by the sex hormones

   type of:

   abnormalcy, abnormality

   an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies
2. noun

   deviate behavior
   synonyms: deviation

   type of:

   abnormality, irregularity

   behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality