normal 1 of 3

adjective

ˈnȯr-məl How to pronounce normal (audio)
Definition of normalnext
1
as in ordinary
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events that fateful day had begun just like any normal workday

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2
as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions if you run around screaming like that, no one will think you are normal

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3
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind she has normal reading abilities for a child her age

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normal

2 of 3

noun (1)

as in average
what is typical of a group, class, or series a temperature chart showing the normals and extremes for various regions

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normality

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in normalcy
the state or fact of being the way things usually are the county slowly has returned to normality after a week of flash flooding

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective normal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of normal are natural, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

In what contexts can natural take the place of normal?

The meanings of natural and normal largely overlap; however, natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

When is regular a more appropriate choice than normal?

While in some cases nearly identical to normal, regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

When might typical be a better fit than normal?

The words typical and normal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of normal
Adjective
The stock has eased slightly since then to around $171, a normal pause after such a steep run, and the level to watch is whether that old $130 breakout zone holds if the pullback extends. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026 During the field tests, the AI controls successfully pulled the site’s voltage, which typically runs 5 percent above normal, back toward the ideal utility target level. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Noun
Most likely, the new normal in the Persian Gulf will be chronic instability and frequent disruptions in shipping. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 With snowfall 60% below normal for the season through February in its home state of Colorado and low in neighboring Utah, Vail has seen skiers and snowboarders stay away in droves. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
But normality is gauged by behavior, an individual’s social life. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 Having fought a violent war, much of it behind enemy lines, Charles Shelby is now embracing normality. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for normal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for normal
  1. ordinary
  2. stable
  3. typical
  4. average
  5. usual
  6. lucid
  7. standard
  8. norm
Adjective
  • This impressive dinner will make an ordinary Wednesday night feel like a special occasion.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
  • Asked why, Newsom told The Times his party had become out of touch with ordinary Americans.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • For a stable, repo-local script, that critique holds, and wrapping every small command in a gateway adds surface area no one needs.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The four children and three adult victims are in stable condition, Tisch said.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • If multiple people become infected within a neighborhood, a typical source would be a cooling tower, hot tub or spray fountain, NYC Health wrote on its website.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The contoured footbed offers more support than a typical flat sandal, and the adjustable straps help customize the fit, which is especially helpful for her flat feet.
    — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of typical
Noun
  • Research and development accounts for an average of just 4% of European countries’ defense budgets, compared to 10% for the United States – which reaps significant economic multiplier effects from that military spending.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • What’s more, Better Mortgage is speedy — its time to close averages 19 days, about half of the national average.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of average
Adjective
  • This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
  • Finally, a birthday that really deserves all the usual fireworks.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • But someone was lucid enough to tie the knot that secured her to the mountain.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Audiences peer into the heart of things, and the whole world suddenly becomes lucid.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Definition of lucid
Adjective
  • Its value proposition is strong since each trim comes with a long list of standard features.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Under the standard plan, borrowers will have between 10 years and 25 years to repay their loans depending on the amount borrowed.
    — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of standard
Noun
  • Quakers were countercultural from the start, seeing women as having spiritual authority equal to men, challenging gender norms of the time, refusing to bear arms and committing to non-violence.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The answer is to design new workplace norms that treat connection as a core part of how work gets done.
    — Carrie Varoquiers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of norm

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normal
normalcy
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Cite this Entry

“Normal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/normal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on normal

Nglish: Translation of normal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about normal

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