aberration
Say it: ab-uh-RAY-shun /ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/ · noun
What “aberration” means
An unusual break from the normal pattern, often a bad one.
More precisely: A departure from what is normal or expected, often an unwelcome one.
Example: “Missing the deadline was an aberration for a team that's usually so reliable.”
When to use it
In fairly formal conversation, when an unwelcome event breaks someone's usual pattern and you expect it to be rare.
Similar words
anomaly, deviation, lapse
Where it comes from
From Latin aberrare, "to wander away."
Quick check
A normally calm dog snaps once after a fright, then returns to its gentle behaviour. That single incident was…
an aberration or a habit?
Show the answer
an aberration
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