normal
gb/nˈɔɹməl/ us/nˈɔɹməl/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
usual or typical
Being usual, common, or the way things usually are.
Usage pattern:
[something] is normal
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'normal' with 'formal', but 'normal' refers to what is usual, not to politeness or style.
Synonyms
typical (Suggests something that is characteristic of a particular type or group.)
|
ordinary (Emphasizes lack of special or unusual features.)
Antonyms
abnormal (Describes something that is not typical or expected.)
|
unusual (Highlights that something is different from what is common.)
Collocations
perfectly normal
|quite normal
|seems normal
|normal behavior
|normal conditions
Themes
daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It's normal to feel nervous before an exam.
- Under normal conditions, the trip takes about two hours.
- Her reaction was completely normal given the situation.
- This level of noise is normal in the city.
- It's normal for children to make mistakes while learning.
Learner examples
- It is normal to be tired after work.
- This weather is normal for summer.
- His voice sounds normal now.
- It is normal to eat breakfast in the morning.
adjective
B1
property
2
mentally or physically healthy
Being healthy in mind and body.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is normal
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'normal' when 'good' or 'fine' would be more natural in casual conversation about health.
Synonyms
healthy (Directly refers to good physical and mental condition.)
Antonyms
ill (Refers to being in poor physical health.)
|
unstable (Refers to poor mental health.)
Collocations
perfectly normal
|medically normal
|psychologically normal
Themes
health
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor said my blood pressure is normal.
- After the surgery, he quickly returned to a normal state.
- She seems completely normal after the treatment.
- These test results are within the normal range.
Learner examples
- My eyes are normal now.
- He feels normal again after rest.
- The test shows her heart is normal.
Noun
B1
state
3
usual state or condition
The usual way things are.
Usage pattern:
return to (the) normal
Synonyms
usual state (Plain description without evaluative tone.)
Antonyms
abnormality (A deviation from what is usual or standard.)
Collocations
back to normal
|new normal
|above normal
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Life slowly returned to normal after the storm.
- The new schedule has become the normal around here.
- This kind of weather is the normal for this region.
Learner examples
- We are back to normal now.
- Things are not normal today.
- She wants life to be normal again.
adjective
technical
B2
relation
4
perpendicular in geometry
In math, going straight up from a line or surface at 90 degrees.
Synonyms
perpendicular (Exact same meaning in this geometric context.)
Collocations
normal vector
|normal line
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Examples
- Draw a line normal to the surface at this point.
- The engineer calculated the normal force on the beam.
- A tangent line is always perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact, so it’s also called a normal.
Learner examples
- This line is normal to the surface.
- A square has sides that are normal to each other.
Grammar
Dictionary form
normal
IPA
GB/nˈɔɹməl/
US/nˈɔɹməl/
Syllables & stress
nor - mal (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (nor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: normal
Noun
- Base: normal
- Plural: normal, normals
Word family
Forms
normals
noun
Core family
normally
adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
abnormal
adjective B2
abnormally
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
normalization
noun C1
normative
adjective C1
Expressions
back to normal
1/bˈæk tə nˈɔɹməl/
fixed phrase
returning to a usual state
When things go back to the way they usually are.
Examples
- After a few weeks, business was back to normal.
- The city returned back to normal after the festival.
the new normal
1/ðə njˈu nˈɔɹməl/
fixed phrase
a new standard after change
A new way of living or working that has become usual after something changes.
Examples
- Working from home has become the new normal for many people.
- After the merger, the smaller team size became the new normal.
perfectly normal
1/pˈɚfəktli nˈɔɹməl/
fixed phrase
completely usual or expected
Totally usual; not strange at all.
Examples
- It's perfectly normal to feel anxious before a big event.
- Her reaction was perfectly normal under those circumstances.
perfectly normal
2/pˈɚfəktli nˈɔɹməl/
fixed phrase
Completely usual or expected
Something that is totally usual and not strange at all.
Examples
- It’s perfectly normal to feel tired after a long day.
- This reaction is perfectly normal for someone in your situation.