Normal
/ˈnɔːrməl/
Definitions
2 meaningsConforming to the standard or common way of doing things; typical.
/ˈnɔːrməl/
Conforming to a standard; typical or usual.
It is normal for children to be curious.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're used to seeing dogs with four legs. A dog with four legs is 'normal,' while a dog with three legs is 'not normal.' It's what's expected and typical, like having breakfast in the morning.
👶 For kids: When things are normal, it means they are usual or how they are supposed to be. Like when you wake up in the morning, that's normal.
More Examples
The test results were normal, so the doctor was satisfied.
After a week of rest, she was back to her normal routine.
How It's Used
"The patient's vital signs were normal."
"Under normal conditions, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."
The usual or expected state, condition, or level; the average.
/ˈnɔːrməl/
The state or fact of being normal; the average or usual state or condition.
After a week of rest, he returned to normal.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of friends. The 'normal' person in the group is the one that is most average of them all, not too tall or short, not too outgoing or shy, etc. This word refers to something being in the usual or expected range, not outside of it.
👶 For kids: The way things usually are or how they are supposed to be. If you and your friends are doing the same things, that's normal.
More Examples
The doctor said her blood pressure was within normal.
The company is striving to return to normal operations after the crisis.
How It's Used
"His behavior was outside of the normal."
"The data showed a normal distribution."
Idioms & expressions
Back to normal
Returning to a usual state or condition after a disruption.
"After the power outage, we were relieved when things got back to normal."
From Latin *normalis* ('made according to a carpenter's square, usual, regular'), from *norma* ('carpenter's square, rule').
The word 'normal' has been used since the 15th century, evolving from its geometrical sense to describe what is usual or conforming to a standard.
Memory tip
Think of a 'norm' as what is considered standard, like the 'normal' size of a pizza.
Word Origin
"carpenter's square, rule, pattern"