Deviate: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：stray from (deviate)

deviate 🔊

/ˈdiːvieɪt/

To move away from the usual, planned, or expected path or standard.

Illustration of a car deviating from a highway, showing the action of leaving a set path.

stray from 🔊

➕

/streɪ frɒm/

To physically or metaphorically leave a set path, plan, or standard.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'deviare' (to go out of the way), from 'de-' (away from) + 'via' (road, way).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'devi-ate' as 'the VIA (road) is DE-stroyed', so you must leave the planned path.

📖 Example

The GPS suddenly recalculated because our driver deviated from the suggested route to take a scenic shortcut. 🔊 The GPS had to recalculate immediately when the driver strayed from the recommended path for a more picturesque alternative road.

🔗 Collocations

deviate from the norm – to behave or be different from what is standard or expected

deviate significantly – to depart from something to a large degree

deviate from course – to move away from the intended direction or plan

🔄 Synonyms

diverge (v.) – To go in a different direction from a common point.

stray (v.) – To move away from the correct path or direction, often by accident.

swerve (v.) – To change direction suddenly, especially to avoid something.

🚫 Antonyms

conform (v.) – To behave according to a standard or norm.

adhere (v.) – To stick firmly to a plan, rule, or belief.

follow (v.) – To go or come after a specified path or instructions.

🌱 Derivatives

deviation (n.) – The act of deviating or the amount by which something differs.

deviant (adj./n.) – Differing from accepted norms or standards.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'deviare', meaning 'to turn aside from the road'. It was historically used in a literal, physical sense. In modern usage, it frequently appears in discussions about projects going 'off-track', policies 'deviating from core principles', or statistical data points straying from the norm.