Norms Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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norms

[nɔːmz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

social behavior

Norms are the unwritten rules or expectations for how people should behave in a particular social group or culture. They are often based on values, beliefs, and attitudes that are widely accepted by the members of the group.

Synonyms

guidelines, rules, standards.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
norms	Commonly accepted behaviors or practices within a society, community, or group. Social norms dictate that you should greet people when you meet them Cultural norms vary between different countries
rules	Explicit instructions or laws that must be followed; often have consequences if broken. You must follow the school rules or face detention The game has a strict set of rules that everyone must follow
standards	Accepted levels of quality or criteria used as benchmarks in various fields. Safety standards in construction are very important The new software meets industry standards
guidelines	Recommended practices or advice provided to help people make decisions or perform tasks. The company has issued guidelines for remote working Follow the guidelines in the user manual to set up the device

Examples of usage

Following social norms is essential for maintaining harmony in society.
Breaking cultural norms can lead to social ostracism.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

statistics

In statistics, norms refer to the measures of performance or behavior that are considered typical or standard within a given population. They are used to assess how individuals or groups deviate from the average or expected values.

Synonyms

averages, benchmarks, standards.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
norms	Norms are often used to describe commonly accepted behavior or rules within a group or society. In many cultures, it is a norm to greet someone with a handshake. Social norms dictate how we should behave in public settings.
standards	Standards refer to accepted levels of quality or achievement that things or people are expected to meet. The product failed to meet safety standards. Educational standards can vary greatly between different countries.
benchmarks	Benchmarks are used to set a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed. The company's sales figures set a new benchmark for the industry. Benchmark tests are important to evaluate the performance of students.
averages	Averages are generally used in mathematical or statistical contexts to describe the central value in a set of numbers. The average grade in the class was a B. She calculated the average temperature for the month.

Examples of usage

The test scores were compared to the norms for the student's age group.
Understanding statistical norms helps in interpreting data accurately.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'norms'

The word 'norms' originated from the Latin word 'norma', meaning a carpenter's square or rule. Over time, it evolved to refer to a standard or model for comparison. The concept of norms has been studied extensively in sociology, psychology, and other social sciences to understand human behavior and social interactions.

See also: enormous, norm, normal, normlessness.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,221 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5218 surviving
5219 positively
5220 susceptible
5221 norms
5222 lined
5223 kidney
5224 barrel
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