a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
"The community labeled him as a deviant because his unconventional sexual practices violated their strict moral codes."
A person who deviates, especially from norms of social behavior.
"The community felt uneasy when they learned that a previously respected neighbor was being investigated as a deviant criminal."
In plain English: A deviant is someone who acts in ways that go against what society considers normal rules or standards.
"The police arrested several deviants who were causing trouble in the public square last night."
Characterized by deviation from an expectation or a social standard.
"The deviant behavior of skipping work every Tuesday violated the company's strict attendance policy."
In plain English: Deviant means behaving in ways that go against what society considers normal or acceptable rules.
"The deviant behavior was so unusual that everyone stopped to watch in silence."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe actions that stray significantly from accepted social standards rather than minor differences in opinion. Avoid confusing it with "eccentric," which implies harmless uniqueness without necessarily violating moral or legal boundaries.
The word deviant comes from Late Latin dēviāns, which means "straying" or "detouring," and entered Middle English with the sense of someone who goes astray. In modern usage, it specifically refers to a DeviantArt member because the site was originally designed for people who modified computer applications.