I. nor ‧ mal 1 S1 W1 AC /ˈnɔːm ə l $ ˈnɔːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : NORMALITY/NORMALCY ≠ ↑ abnormality , ↑ normal , ↑ normalization ; verb : ↑ normalize ; adverb : ↑ normally ≠ ↑ abnormally ; adjective : ↑ normal ≠ ↑ abnormal ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: normalis , from norma ; ⇨ ↑ norm ]
1 . usual, typical, or expected:
A normal working week is 40 hours.
it is normal (for somebody) to do something
It’s normal to feel nervous before an exam.
quite/perfectly etc normal
Her room was untidy, but that was quite normal.
She was assessed in the normal way, and placed on the waiting list.
All I want is to lead a normal life.
2 . someone who is normal is mentally and physically healthy and does not behave strangely OPP abnormal :
He seems a perfectly normal little boy.
They can’t be normal to do something like that.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ completely normal
The test results came back, and everything was completely normal.
▪ perfectly normal (=completely normal)
Her reaction to the news was perfectly normal.
▪ quite normal (=completely normal)
He sounded quite normal when he phoned.
▪ fairly/pretty normal
His family all seem pretty normal.
■ nouns
▪ a normal life
All I want is to lead a happy, normal life.
■ phrases
▪ as normal (=used to emphasize that something happens very regularly)
John and Liz were late as normal.
▪ in/under normal circumstances
Under normal circumstances, you would have to pay to go into the exhibition.
▪ in the normal way
The results will be posted to you in the normal way.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ normal usual, typical, and as you would expect it to be:
Is this cold weather normal for the time of year?
|
It had been another normal working day in the office.
▪ ordinary ( also regular especially American English ) not special, unusual, or different from normal:
They lived in an ordinary three-bedroomed house.
|
It looks like an ordinary car, but it uses solar power.
|
Would you like a regular salad or a Caesar salad?
|
I just want an ordinary bicycle, not a mountain bike.
▪ average [only before noun] around the usual level or amount:
She is of average height.
|
He is of above average intelligence.
|
The average price of a pint of milk has gone up.
▪ standard normal – used about methods of doing something, or about the size, shape, features etc of products:
It’s standard practice to X-ray hand-baggage at most airports.
|
We stock shoes in all the standard sizes.
▪ routine used about things that are done regularly as part of a series of things:
The fault was discovered during a routine check of the plane.
|
routine tasks such as shopping and cooking
▪ everyday [only before noun] used about things that happen or that you use as part of normal life:
He painted scenes of everyday life in France.
|
Sally was still dressed in her everyday clothes.
▪ common used about birds and plants that are of the most usual type, and in the phrase the common people (=people who are not rich and powerful) :
the common goldfish
|
an alliance between the aristocracy and the common people
▪ conventional [only before noun] of the kind that is usually used – used when comparing this with a different or special type:
The engine is more efficient than a conventional diesel engine.
|
the drugs used in conventional medicine
|
conventional weapons (=not nuclear, chemical, or biological)
|
conventional ovens and microwaves
II. normal 2 AC BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : NORMALITY/NORMALCY ≠ ↑ abnormality , ↑ normal , ↑ normalization ; verb : ↑ normalize ; adverb : ↑ normally ≠ ↑ abnormally ; adjective : ↑ normal ≠ ↑ abnormal ]
the usual state, level, or amount:
Thankfully, train services are now back to normal.
Slowly her heartbeat returned to normal.
above/below normal
Car sales are still below normal for the time of year.
higher/larger/less etc than normal
The journey took longer than normal.