What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aberration
Example
The sudden outburst was an aberration from his usual calm demeanor. [aberration: noun]
Example
Her behavior was an aberration from what we had come to expect from her. [aberration: noun]
anomaly
Example
The strange weather pattern was an anomaly for this time of year. [anomaly: noun]
Example
The experiment produced an anomaly in the data that required further investigation. [anomaly: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anomaly is more commonly used than aberration in scientific or technical contexts. However, both words are less common in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aberration and anomaly?
Both aberration and anomaly are formal words that are typically used in academic or technical writing rather than in casual conversation.