First Known Use: circa 1696
Dictionary
1normal
adjective nor·mal \ˈnȯr-məl\
: usual or ordinary : not strange
: mentally and physically healthy
Full Definition of NORMAL
1
: perpendicular; especially : perpendicular to a tangent at a point of tangency
2
a : according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle b : conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern
3
: occurring naturally <normal immunity>
4
a : of, relating to, or characterized by average intelligence or development b : free from mental disorder : sane
5
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>
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 each of whose elements is a conjugate complex number with respect to the corresponding element of the given matrix
— nor·mal·i·ty \nȯr-ˈma-lə-tē\ noun
— nor·mal·ly \ˈnȯr-mə-lē\ adverb
See normal defined for English-language learners
See normal defined for kids
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Origin of NORMAL
Latin normalis, from norma
Related to NORMAL
- Synonyms
- average, common, commonplace, cut-and-dried (also cut-and-dry), everyday, garden-variety, ordinary, prosaic, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, standard-issue, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual, workaday
- Antonyms
- abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, odd, out-of-the-way, strange, unusual
Synonym Discussion of NORMAL
regular, normal, typical, natural mean being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average. regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern <the club's regular monthly meeting>. 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>. typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality <a typical small town>. 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>.
Rhymes with NORMAL
2normal
noun
: the usual or expected state, level, amount, etc.
Full Definition of NORMAL
1
a : a normal line b : the portion of a normal line to a plane curve between the curve and the x-axis
2
: one that is normal
3
: a form or state regarded as the norm : standard
See normal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NORMAL
circa 1738
Normal
geographical name Nor·mal \ˈnȯr-məl\
Definition of NORMAL
town cen Illinois N of Bloomington pop 52,497
NORMALITY Defined for Kids
1normal
adjective nor·mal \ˈnȯr-məl\
Definition of NORMAL for Kids
1
: of the regular or usual kind <a normal day>
2
: healthy in body or mind <a normal baby boy>
— nor·mal·ly adverb
Word History of NORMAL
People who work with wood use something called a square to make and check right angles. The English word normal came from the Latin word for this kind of square, norma, which also meant “standard” or “pattern.” Normal at first meant “forming a right angle.” Later normal came to mean “by a rule or pattern” or “regular.”
2normal
noun
Definition of NORMAL for Kids
: the usual form, state, level, or amount : average <After the County Fair, life in Centerburg eases itself back to normal. — Robert McCloskey, Homer Price>
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