neurodivergent

American  

[noor-oh-di-vur-juhnt, dahy-, nyoor-] / ˌnʊər oʊ dɪˈvɜr dʒənt, daɪ-, ˌnjʊər- /

adjective

1. relating to or showing atypical neurological behavior and development, as in autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia. ND

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noun

1. a neurodivergent person.

Other Word Forms

• neurodivergence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of neurodivergent

First recorded in 2000–05; neuro- ( def. ) + divergent ( def. )

Example Sentences

At this year's Download Festival, which took place in June, event organisers created a space for neurodivergent attendees.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Funches, who went on to be diagnosed as neurodivergent after he watched the show with the rest of us, praised Rausch’s humanity amid a nearly impossible situation.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2026

"For many people, especially those who are anxious, traumatised, grieving, lonely, neurodivergent, or emotionally overwhelmed, talking about their experiences can feel too much at first," Tracy says.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

Yes, the evidence has indicated that many of the greats of crime fiction, from Holmes to House, were neurodivergent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

It also includes casual mention of his diagnosis as neurodivergent.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026