normal

/ˈnɔrməl/

/ˈnɔməl/

Other forms: normals

If something conforms to a general pattern, standard, or average, we describe it as normal, but of course that standard can change over time. What's normal today may be "abnormal" in the future.

The word normal comes from a Latin word normalis, which described something made with a carpenter's square. Something built this way would be normed to have angles that were perfectly aligned and fit a general pattern. This meaning eventually gave us the broader sense of fitting a pattern, standard, or average. Doctors like you to be a normal weight for your height, so you may need to grow taller to make your doctor happy.

Definitions of normal

1. adjective

   being approximately average or within certain limits in e.g. intelligence and development
   “a perfectly normal child”

   “of normal intelligence”

   “the most normal person I've ever met”

   antonyms:

   abnormal

   departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development

   exceptional

   deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used especially of children below normal in intelligence
2. adjective

   conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
   “normal diplomatic relations”

   “normal working hours”

   “normal word order”

   “normal curiosity”

   “the normal course of events”

   synonyms:

   average, mean

   approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

   average, median

   relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in a set with an even number of values)

   average, modal

   relating to or constituting the most frequent value in a distribution

   natural

   functioning or occurring in a normal way; lacking abnormalities or deficiencies

   regular

   not deviating from what is normal

   typical

   conforming to a type

   sane

   mentally healthy; free from mental disorder

   standard

   conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

   antonyms:

   abnormal

   not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm

   aberrant, deviant, deviate

   markedly different from an accepted norm

   anomalous

   deviating from the general or common order or type

   antidromic

   conducting nerve impulses in a direction opposite to normal

   atypical, irregular

   deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal

   brachydactylic, brachydactylous

   having abnormally short finger or toes

   defective

   markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior

   freakish

   characteristic of a freak

   kinky, perverted

   (used of sexual behavior) showing or appealing to bizarre or deviant tastes

   subnormal

   below normal or average

   supernormal

   exceeding the normal or average

   vicarious

   occurring in an abnormal part of the body instead of the usual site involved in that function

   insane

   afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
3. adjective

   in accordance with scientific laws
   antonyms:

   paranormal

   not in accordance with scientific laws

   unnatural

   not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

   parapsychological

   beyond normal physical explanation

   psychic, psychical

   outside the sphere of physical science

   psychokinetic

   moving an object without apparent use of physical means

   supernormal, supranormal

   beyond the range of the normal or scientifically explainable

   extrasensory, paranormal

   seemingly outside normal sensory channels
4. noun

   something regarded as a normative example
   synonyms: convention, formula, pattern, rule

   types:

   mores

   (sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group

   code of behavior, code of conduct

   a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group

   universal

   a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

   courtly love

   (Middle Ages) a highly conventionalized code of conduct for lovers

   knight errantry

   (Middle Ages) the code of conduct observed by a knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry

   protocol

   code of correct conduct

   type of:

   practice

   knowledge of how something is usually done
5. adjective

   forming a right angle
   synonyms:

   perpendicular

   intersecting at or forming right angles