normally
gb/nˈɔɹməli/ us/nˈɔɹməli/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
property
1
in the usual or expected way
In the way that usually happens or is normal.
Usage pattern:
normally [verb/subject]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'normally' with 'formally' due to similar spelling; also may misuse it where 'usually' is more natural in casual conversation.
Synonyms
usually (Slightly more common in everyday speech; interchangeable in most contexts.)
|
typically (Often used in more formal or descriptive contexts.)
Antonyms
abnormally (Describes something that is not usual or expected.)
|
rarely (Indicates something happens infrequently, opposite of usual.)
Collocations
normally happen
|normally take
|normally see
|normally expect
|normally work
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I normally take the bus to work.
- The shop normally opens at nine o’clock.
- He normally wears a suit to the office.
- We normally eat dinner around seven.
- This kind of weather is not what we normally get in July.
Learner examples
- I normally walk to school.
- She normally drinks tea in the morning.
- We normally watch TV after dinner.
- The train normally arrives on time.
- He normally sits in the front row.
adverb
B1
property
2
under normal conditions
When things are as they usually are, without problems or changes.
Usage pattern:
normally [verb/subject] when [condition]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this meaning when 'usually' is more natural for habits rather than conditions.
Synonyms
ordinarily (More formal and less common in casual speech.)
Antonyms
abnormally (Indicates deviation from standard conditions.)
Collocations
normally operate
|normally function
|normally behave
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The machine should normally operate without making much noise.
- Water normally boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
- Under normal circumstances, the process normally takes two days.
Learner examples
- Cars normally stop at red lights.
- Plants normally grow toward the sun.
- Water normally freezes at zero degrees.
Grammar
Dictionary form
normally
IPA
GB/nˈɔɹməli/
US/nˈɔɹməli/
Syllables & stress
nor - mally (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (nor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: normally
- Plural: normallies
Word family
Forms
normallies
noun
Core family
normal
adjective A2
Negative and opposite forms
abnormal
adjective B2
abnormally
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
normality
noun
normalization
noun C1
Expressions
as you would normally expect
1/ˈæz jˈu wˈʊd nˈɔɹməli ɪkspˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
as is usual or expected
In the way you think is usual or normal.
Examples
- The meeting went as you would normally expect, with a few questions at the end.
- Everything happened as you would normally expect in such a situation.
as per usual
1/ˈæz pˈɚ jˈuʒuəl/
fixed phrase
informal
Same as always, often annoyingly so
The same as it always happens, often with some irritation.
Examples
- As per usual, he forgot to call me back.
- As per usual, he was late for work.
- He was late, as per usual.
- The meeting started late, as per usual.
- As per usual, she brought her own lunch to work.