Normal: meaning, definitions and examples

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normal

 

[ ˈnɔːməl ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

everyday life

Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. Not strange or abnormal.

Synonyms

regular, standard, typical, usual.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
normal

Use 'normal' when referring to something that is average or expected under specific conditions.

  • It's normal to feel nervous before a big presentation
  • The temperature is normal for this time of year
regular

Use 'regular' when describing something that happens frequently and follows a pattern.

  • She has regular medical check-ups every six months
  • We meet at a regular time every week
usual

Use 'usual' when something happens most of the time or is done in the customary way.

  • He arrived at his usual time
  • The weather is warmer than usual for this time of year
standard

Use 'standard' when referring to something that follows an established norm or is widely accepted.

  • This procedure is the standard practice in our industry
  • He used the standard form to fill out the application
typical

Use 'typical' to describe something that is characteristic or representative of its kind.

  • Her behavior is typical of a two-year-old
  • The house had the typical features of a Victorian home

Examples of usage

  • It's perfectly normal to feel nervous before a job interview.
  • Eating three meals a day is considered normal in many cultures.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

A standard or pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical or expected.

Synonyms

convention, norm, standard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
normal

Use 'normal' when referring to something that is typical or expected in most situations.

  • It is normal for children to be curious.
  • After the illness, she was happy to get back to her normal routine.
standard

Use 'standard' when referring to an established level of quality or performance that is considered acceptable or desirable.

  • The hotel met the standard for a five-star rating.
  • Teachers are required to meet certain standards in their teaching methods.
norm

Use 'norm' when referring to an accepted standard or way of behaving that most people in a society or group adhere to.

  • In many cultures, it is the norm to remove your shoes before entering a home.
  • Cheating on exams is against the norm in most educational institutions.
convention

Use 'convention' when referring to a traditional or widely accepted way of doing things within a particular context, often in social or professional settings.

  • Wearing a suit to a job interview is a common convention.
  • Convention dictates that the host greets the guests at the door.

Examples of usage

  • The concept of normal behavior varies across different cultures.
  • She deviated from the normal and chose a career in art instead of law.

Translations

Translations of the word "normal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 normal

🇮🇳 सामान्य

🇩🇪 normal

🇮🇩 normal

🇺🇦 нормальний

🇵🇱 normalny

🇯🇵 普通 (ふつう)

🇫🇷 normal

🇪🇸 normal

🇹🇷 normal

🇰🇷 정상적인

🇸🇦 عادي

🇨🇿 normální

🇸🇰 normálny

🇨🇳 正常 (zhèngcháng)

🇸🇮 normalen

🇮🇸 venjulegur

🇰🇿 қалыпты

🇬🇪 ნორმალური

🇦🇿 normal

🇲🇽 normal

Etymology

The word 'normal' originated from the Latin word 'normalis', meaning 'made according to a carpenter's square'. Over time, it evolved to refer to conforming to a standard or pattern. The concept of 'normal' has been heavily debated in various fields such as psychology, sociology, and philosophy, with different perspectives on what constitutes normal behavior or standards.

See also: enormous, norm, normlessness, norms.

Word Frequency Rank

At #612 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.