normal
1 of 2adjective
nor·mal ˈnȯr-məl 
1
a
: conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern : characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine
normal working hours
under normal circumstances
It was just a normal, average day.
He had a normal childhood.
Their reaction to the news was normal and expected.
The noise made it impossible to carry on a normal conversation.
Challenges are a normal part of life; remind yourself of that—and keep going.—
Gabrielle Gayagoy
Gabrielle Gayagoy b
: according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, procedure, or principle
The normal spelling rule is "i before e, except after c."
They filed the paperwork in the normal way.
The plane was able to make a normal approach and landing.
… is your home office either your principal place of work or a place where you meet with customers or clients in the normal course of business?—Rosalind Resnick and Susie Archer
Rosalind Resnick and Susie Archer2
: occurring naturally
normal immunity
Cornell researchers showed that monarch butterflies that fed on leaves dusted with pollen from this [genetically] modified corn grew less and had higher mortality than larvae that fed on leaves dusted with normal pollen.—Russell Schoch
Russell Schoch3
a
: approximating the statistical average or norm
The west coast had normal rainfall for the season.
normal scores for the tenth grade algebra exam
a country's normal death rate
Their insulin and blood sugar levels are within normal range.—Moises Velasquez-Manoff
Moises Velasquez-Manoff b
: generally free from physical or mental impairment or dysfunction : exhibiting or marked by healthy or sound functioning
normal reflexes
Fifteen normal subjects and 40 asthmatics of variable severity were studied.—J. Bousquet et al.
J. Bousquet et al.However, my experience is that there are many, many normal people with no psychiatric illness who have music playing in their head almost all the time or all the time.—Keith W. Roach
Keith W. Roach c
: not exhibiting defect or irregularity
normal and malignant cells
a normal heart
d
: within a range considered safe, healthy, or optimal
normal blood pressure
normal lab tests
4
a
of a solution : having a concentration of one gram equivalent of solute per liter
b
: containing neither basic hydroxyl nor acid hydrogen
normal silver phosphate
c
: not associated
normal molecules
d
: having a straight-chain structure
normal butyl alcohol
5
: perpendicular
especially : perpendicular to a tangent (see tangent entry 1 sense 3) at a point of tangency
6
of a subgroup : having the property that every coset produced by operating on the left by a given element is equal to the coset produced by operating on the right by the same element
7
: relating to, involving, or being a normal curve or normal distribution
normal approximation to the binomial distribution
8
of a matrix : having the property of commutativity under multiplication by the transpose of the matrix (see matrix sense 5a) each of whose elements is a conjugate (see conjugate entry 1 sense 2b) complex number with respect to the corresponding element of the given matrix
normality
nȯr-ˈma-lə-tē
noun normally
ˈnȯr-mə-lē
adverb normal
2 of 2noun
1
: a form or state regarded as the norm : standard
2
: one that is normal
3
a
: a normal line
b
: the portion of a normal line to a plane curve between the curve and the x-axis
Synonyms
Adjective
- average
- common
- commonplace
- cut-and-dried
- cut-and-dry
- everyday
- garden-variety
- ordinary
- prosaic
- routine
- run-of-the-mill
- standard
- standard-issue
- unexceptional
- unremarkable
- usual
- workaday
Noun
- average
- norm
- par
- standard
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective He had a normal childhood. These little setbacks are a normal part of life. a potato twice as big as normal size Despite her illness, she was able to lead a normal life. They had a normal, healthy baby. Normal people don't react that way. Noun Your blood pressure is higher than normal. Let's hope everything returns to normal soon. I'm glad that things are back to normal. Oil prices are above normal. See More
Recent Examples on the WebDavid Jesse, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2023 You might even be accustomed to them and accept that their ongoing and expanding presence is simply a normal part of our modern-day online existence. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 Many people with cavernous angiomas remain stable for years and are able to live normal lives. —WIRED, 20 Feb. 2023 Winds and below-normal temperatures will result in single-digit to below-zero wind chills overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service. —Andrea Morabito, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2023 His basketball team got back to some semblance of normal Saturday, with a tough loss on the road at rival Michigan. —Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2023 For the next four years, while juggling childcare and advertising campaigns (and having a second child), Douglas built her brainchild in her spare room after her normal workday ended. —Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2023 Meanwhile, other parts of India are recording temperatures that are usually seen in mid-March and at least 40 degrees above normal. —Karishma Mehrotra, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 Amid the political conflict, Erin and her friends still have to deal with normal teenage things, like crushes, exams and family drama. —Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2023 Dharna Noor, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Feb. 2023 The new normal of hybrid working has upsides and downsides. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2022 The new normal of work from remote locations has profoundly impacted the role of a CISO. —Sriram Tarikere, Forbes, 5 July 2022 As the workforce returns to the office, revenue-generating teams can’t go back to the old normal of mass, generic outreach. —Kris Rudeegraap, Forbes, 16 June 2021 Along with a return to the new normal comes a need for travelers to recapture that vibe that accompanies certain destinations. —Michael Alpiner, Forbes, 10 May 2021 Despite no previous experience, Hendon is adjusting to the new normal of officiating, just like the rest of his colleagues. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2020 The world is slowly beginning to reopen, and new normals are emerging as nations navigate life amid a global pandemic. —Editors, USA TODAY, 17 May 2020 Without that discussion, our new normals may become a world in which a little bit more of our inner selves is out there in the ether, at risk of misuse. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 16 May 2020 See More
Adjective
The campus atmosphere Monday morning was a bizarre mix of the normal and the incongruous. —David Jesse, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2023 You might even be accustomed to them and accept that their ongoing and expanding presence is simply a normal part of our modern-day online existence. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 Many people with cavernous angiomas remain stable for years and are able to live normal lives. —WIRED, 20 Feb. 2023 Winds and below-normal temperatures will result in single-digit to below-zero wind chills overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service. —Andrea Morabito, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2023 His basketball team got back to some semblance of normal Saturday, with a tough loss on the road at rival Michigan. —Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2023 For the next four years, while juggling childcare and advertising campaigns (and having a second child), Douglas built her brainchild in her spare room after her normal workday ended. —Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2023 Meanwhile, other parts of India are recording temperatures that are usually seen in mid-March and at least 40 degrees above normal. —Karishma Mehrotra, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 Amid the political conflict, Erin and her friends still have to deal with normal teenage things, like crushes, exams and family drama. —Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2023 Noun
Welcome to the new normal for New England winters, where increasingly, maple syrup producers are tapping trees over a month early, ski resorts and skating rinks are opening later or not at all, and T-shirt weather is arriving before Presidents’ Day. —Dharna Noor, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Feb. 2023 The new normal of hybrid working has upsides and downsides. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2022 The new normal of work from remote locations has profoundly impacted the role of a CISO. —Sriram Tarikere, Forbes, 5 July 2022 As the workforce returns to the office, revenue-generating teams can’t go back to the old normal of mass, generic outreach. —Kris Rudeegraap, Forbes, 16 June 2021 Along with a return to the new normal comes a need for travelers to recapture that vibe that accompanies certain destinations. —Michael Alpiner, Forbes, 10 May 2021 Despite no previous experience, Hendon is adjusting to the new normal of officiating, just like the rest of his colleagues. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2020 The world is slowly beginning to reopen, and new normals are emerging as nations navigate life amid a global pandemic. —Editors, USA TODAY, 17 May 2020 Without that discussion, our new normals may become a world in which a little bit more of our inner selves is out there in the ether, at risk of misuse. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 16 May 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Latin normālis "made according to a carpenter's square, forming a right angle," from norma "carpenter's square" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at norm
Noun
borrowed from New Latin normālis, noun derivative of Latin normālis "forming a right angle" — more at normal entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1704, in the meaning defined at sense 5
Noun
1728, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Phrases Containing normal
Kids Definition
normal
1 of 2 adjective nor·mal ˈnȯr-məl
1
: perpendicular entry 1 sense 2
2
: of the regular or usual kind
3
a
: relating to or marked by average intelligence or development
b
: free from sickness of body or mind : sane, sound
normally
-mə-lē
adverb normal
2 of 2 noun1
: a normal line
2
: a person or thing that is normal
3
: a form or state regarded as the usual : average
Medical Definition
normal
1 of 2 adjective nor·mal ˈnȯr-məl
1
a
: conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern : characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine
a normal childhood
Great progress has been made in the past few years in the ability to differentiate normal aging-related memory changes from the impairments associated with dementia, including Alzheimer disease …—C. Munro Cullum et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
C. Munro Cullum et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association b
: approximating the statistical average or norm
normal cases of infectious disease
a country's normal birth rate
2
a
: generally free from physical or mental impairment or dysfunction : exhibiting or marked by healthy or sound functioning
normal reflexes
Fifteen normal subjects and 40 asthmatics of variable severity were studied.—J. Bousquet et al., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
J. Bousquet et al., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine b
: not exhibiting defect or irregularity
a normal spine
normal cells
c
: within a range considered safe, healthy, or optimal
normal blood pressure
normal lab results
3
a
of a solution : having a concentration of one gram equivalent of solute per liter
b
: containing neither basic hydrogen nor acid hydrogen
normal phosphate of silver
c
: not associated
normal molecules
d
: having a straight-chain structure
normal pentane
normally
ˈnȯr-mə-lē
adverb normal
2 of 2 noun : a subject who is normal
Geographical Definition
Normal
geographical name
Nor·mal ˈnȯr-məl
town north of Bloomington in central Illinois population 52,497
normal 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in ordinary
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events that fateful day had begun just like any normal workday Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ordinary
- usual
- average
- typical
- commonplace
- common
- standard
- routine
- everyday
- customary
- unremarkable
- regular
- unexceptional
- expected
- familiar
- prosaic
- workaday
- run-of-the-mill
- garden-variety
- standard-issue
- predictable
- cut-and-dry
- cut-and-dried
- plain
- homely
- popular
- par for the course
- natural
- unextraordinary
- trivial
- frequent
- habitual
- unimportant
- vulgar
- insignificant
- wonted
- plain-Jane
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abnormal
- unusual
- extraordinary
- strange
- odd
- exceptional
- peculiar
- atypical
- funny
- curious
- anomalous
- rare
- quaint
- irregular
- aberrant
- queer
- untypical
- scarce
- wild
- weird
- fantastic
- phenomenal
- bizarre
- fantastical
- outrageous
- eccentric
- outstanding
- unconventional
- wacky
- unorthodox
- out-of-the-way
- idiosyncratic
- prominent
- unique
- oddball
- unprecedented
- freakish
- striking
- offbeat
- conspicuous
- notable
- nonconformist
- signal
- whacky
- freak
- novel
- salient
- outré
- singular
- unparalleled
- recherché
- kooky
- unexampled
- way-out
- far-out
- kookie
- Kafkaesque
2
as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions if you run around screaming like that, no one will think you are normal Synonyms & Similar Words
- stable
- sane
- healthy
- rational
- reasonable
- lucid
- balanced
- sensible
- logical
- right
- compos mentis
- clearheaded
- analytic
- coherent
- wise
- sound
- clear
- analytical
- well-adjusted
- levelheaded
- even-keeled
- judicious
- well-balanced
- unneurotic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mental
- insane
- crazy
- unbalanced
- deranged
- crazed
- mad
- aberrant
- screwy
- wacky
- demented
- maniacal
- whacky
- lunatic
- strange
- psychotic
- nutty
- odd
- disordered
- neurotic
- maniac
- disturbed
- schizophrenic
- loopy
- loony
- eccentric
- balmy
- crackbrained
- paranoid
- daft
- unsound
- delirious
- delusional
- schizoid
- unreasonable
- wacko
- oddball
- cracked
- off
- psycho
- cuckoo
- daffy
- paranoidal
- certifiable
- nuts
- dotty
- irrational
- delusionary
- whacko
- batty
- scatty
- paranoic
- cranky
- loco
- schizo
- looney
- bughouse
- queer
- paranoiac
- moonstruck
- brainsick
- foolish
- meshuga
- gaga
- depressed
- crackpot
- fruity
- pixilated
- frantic
- frenzied
- schizzy
- meshugah
- hysterical
- nuclear
- witless
- hysteric
- meshugge
- ballistic
- senseless
- berserk
- obsessive-compulsive
- potty
- distraught
- meshuggah
- haywire
- distracted
- bananas
- pixillated
- despondent
- schizy
- obsessed
- ape
- fixated
- monomaniacal
- raving
- mixed-up
- amuck
- monomaniac
- amok
- wigged-out
3
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind she has normal reading abilities for a child her age Synonyms & Similar Words
- typical
- usual
- average
- standard
- regular
- true
- characteristic
- ordinary
- representative
- archetypal
- conventional
- customary
- common
- everyday
- archetypical
- classic
- commonplace
- predictable
- expected
- routine
- unremarkable
- workaday
- familiar
- habitual
- textbook
- wonted
- vintage
- predominant
- unexceptional
- preponderant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abnormal
- atypical
- anomalous
- unusual
- irregular
- deviant
- aberrant
- special
- uncommon
- untypical
- extraordinary
- unconventional
- unique
- rare
- infrequent
- exceptional
- unexpected
- remarkable
- unpredictable
- unfamiliar
- distinctive
- nontypical
- unwonted
- peculiar
- noteworthy
- nonrepresentative
- singular
- unknown
- eccentric
- strange
- unorthodox
- uncustomary
- especial
- idiosyncratic
- odd
- funny
- erratic
- curious
- nonconformist
- wacky
- unnatural
- rare
- weird
- quirky
- oddball
- outlandish
- bizarre
- funky
- offbeat
- outrageous
- wild
- freakish
- fantastical
- fantastic
- screwy
- singular
- whacky
- freak
- kooky
- outré
- way-out
- kookie
- out-of-the-way
- far-out
normal
2 of 2noun
as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions Synonyms & Similar Words
- average
- norm
- standard
- usual
- ordinary
- mean
- median
- par
- commonplace
- rule
- middle
- golden mean
- status quo
- representative
- run
- exemplar
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deviation
- abnormality
- exception
- anomaly
- rarity
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.
normal behavior for a two-year-old
The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.
the natural love of a mother for her child
While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.
the club's regular monthly meeting
The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.
a typical small town
- straightheaded
- straighting
- straightish
- straightjacket
- straightjacketed
- straightjacketing
- straightjackets
- straightlaced
- straightlier
- straightliest
- straightly
- straightneck
- straightness
- straightnesses
- straights
- straightway
- straightway drill
- straightway pump
- straightwayer
- straightwayest
- straightways
- straightwayyer
- straightwayyest
- straik
- straiked