C1nounformalacademicscience
US/ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/
UK/ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/
a difference from what is normal, expected or agreed
In context
Any deviation from the safety rules could put the workers at risk.
The report shows a small deviation from last year’s average.
The standard deviation tells us how spread out the scores are.
Words that go with deviation
noun + preposition
- deviation fromThis is a deviation from the plan.
- deviation from the normAny deviation from the norm gets noticed.
- a deviation ofThe test showed a deviation of two percent from the target.
adjective + noun
- standard deviationCalculate the standard deviation of the data.
- slight deviationA slight deviation can ruin the result.
- significant deviationThere was a significant deviation from the norm.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
deviation of the planCorrect: deviation from the plan