YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

deviate

Verb

IPA /ˈdiːvieɪt/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To move away from an expected route, plan or usual way of doing something.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

deviate/ˈdiːvieɪt/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

The planned route
A different direction is taken

To deviate is to move away from a route, plan or usual pattern.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

We had to deviate from our planned route when the bridge closed.
Please explain any results that deviate from the expected pattern.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

We had to ________ from our planned route when the bridge closed.

Show the answer

deviate — To move away from an expected route, plan or usual way of doing something.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “deviate” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To move away from an expected route, plan or usual way of doing something.

Compare: We had to deviate from our planned route when the bridge closed.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin deviare, formed from elements meaning away from and way.

Did you know?

Deviate from is used for routes, plans and expected patterns.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.