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normal
/ˈnɔːr.məl/
conforming to a standard or usual pattern
Her blood pressure is normal for her age.
This means her blood pressure is within the expected range for someone her age.
general
conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected
It's normal to feel nervous before a big presentation.
Feeling nervous in this situation is common and expected.
The weather today is normal for this time of year.
The weather is typical of what is usually experienced at this time of year.
The word 'normal' is often used to describe something that is standard, typical, or within an expected range.
Medicine
Medical
functioning properly; not impaired or abnormal
The doctor said the test results were normal.
The test results showed no signs of disease or abnormality.
In medical contexts, 'normal' indicates that something is healthy or within the expected range for a healthy person.
Collocations
normal behaviorbehavior that is typical or expectednormal rangethe expected or standard range for a measurementnormal conditionsthe usual or standard conditions for a situation
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overuse
While 'normal' is a useful word, be mindful not to overuse it, as it can sometimes imply that other ways of being are inferior or wrong.
Gold Rule
Context matters
The meaning of 'normal' can vary depending on the context. For example, what is considered 'normal' in one culture may not be in another.
Word Origin
From Latin 'normalis', meaning 'perpendicular', from 'norma' meaning 'carpenter's square'. The sense of 'conforming to a standard' developed in the 19th century.
Usage Notes
The word 'normal' can be used to describe people, situations, or measurements. It is often used in contrast to 'abnormal' to indicate that something is within the expected range or standard.
Word Breakdown
norm
a standard or model
root-al
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary