noun
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a deformed condition; disfigurement
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pathol an acquired or congenital distortion of an organ or part
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a deformed person or thing
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a defect, esp of the mind or morals; depravity
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of deformity
1350–1400; Middle English deformite < Old French < Latin dēfōrmitās, equivalent to dēfōrm ( is ) deform 2 + -itās -ity
Explanation
A deformity happens when a body part is misshapen. A deformity can also be a change for the worse in something's appearance. A two-headed kitten has a deformity. Usually a deformity is the result of an accident or a genetic defect. Although most people want to avoid deformities, in the novel Geek Love by Katherine Dunn (1989), the mother of a circus family takes drugs while she’s pregnant, hoping to cause deformities in her children. She succeeds with her son Arturo, who has flippers instead of arms and legs. In his world, people with regular arms and legs have the deformity.
Vocabulary lists containing deformity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
O’Connor’s South—influenced as much by Hawthorne as by Faulkner—is a metaphysical realm of spiritual deformity and, at moments, shocking prophetic insight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
The publicly-owned ferry operator confirmed to BBC Scotland News that action was under way to recover some of those repair costs following an investigation into the cause of the hull deformity.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2025
Blessed in courage, intellect, imagination and style, Cyrano is cursed by a physical deformity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2024
For example, large-breed dogs like golden and Labrador retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, a deformity of the hip joint.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
“Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness.”
From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
This novel centers on Pothivelu Pandaram, a hustling businessman in southern India whose trade consists of managing men and women with physical deformities who beg outside temples.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026
The goonies quickly sense that Sloth is one of them and that his so-called deformities can be turned into assets.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2025
Lewis Waterfield was born in 1994 with deformities to both hands.
From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2025
The third cluster usually presented with spinal deformities, which may require the standard decompression procedure and possible further spine surgeries.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 18, 2024
But instead of being ashamed of their deformities, the people were laughing and kissing and posing, as if all the pictures had been taken at some huge party.
From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
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