normal1 adjectivenormal2 noun
normalnor‧mal1 /ˈnɔːməl $ ˈnɔːr-/ ●●● S1 W1 AWL adjective 
WORD ORIGINnormal1
Origin:
1400-1500 Latin normalis, from norma; ➔ NORMEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a normal healthy baby
- Any normal boy of his age would be interested in football.
- Don't worry if Mike seemed rude - that's normal for him.
- Her breathing was normal, but she had a very high temperature.
- It's normal for young children to misbehave sometimes.
- It is quite normal for children to be afraid of the dark.
- It may have seemed unusually cold recently but experts say it's normal for this time of year.
- It used to be normal practice to live at home with your parents until you got married.
- It was a perfectly normal flight until the plane suddenly started to shake.
- January 2nd is a public holiday in Scotland, but in England it is a normal working day.
- Once the pain has gone away, you can resume your normal activities.
- She went to bed at her normal time of eleven o'clock.
- The new Ford looks like any normal car, but it has a special advanced engine.
- They seemed like a perfectly normal family.
- Tides will be six feet above normal this afternoon.
- Under normal conditions, a number of plants grow well in aquariums.
- When you start a new job, it's normal to feel somewhat overwhelmed.
- And with her body positioned at a slight incline, her spine benefits from the normal force of gravity.
- But when electrical storms roll in, nothing is normal.
- Donna, this is normal on a night when we have to work.
- Everyone else is completely normal at Leeds.
- Initially the child uses one-word sentences, but his or her language facility expands quickly given normal social interaction.
- It is envisaged that much of the assessment will be done by teachers as an integral part of their normal classroom work.
- The normal adult size is about seven inches.
- This represents a £20 saving on the normal brochure price.
THESAURUS
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.
(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.
[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.
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.
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
[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.
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
[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
Longman Language Activatornot special or unusual ordinary things are not special or unusual: · It's just an ordinary house in an ordinary street.· He wore an ordinary business suit with a white shirt and tie.· Can you get connected to the Internet through an ordinary telephone line?· Gillman's known for her photographs of ordinary household items.
something that is normal is just as you would expect it to be, because it is not special or different: · The new Ford looks like any normal car, but it has a special advanced engine.· January 2nd is a public holiday in Scotland, but in England it is a normal working day.· Once the pain has gone away, you can resume your normal activities.perfectly normal: · It was a perfectly normal flight until the plane suddenly started to shake.it's normal: · It may have seemed unusually cold recently but experts say it's normal for this time of year.above/below normal: · Tides will be six feet above normal this afternoon.
an average thing is a typical example of a particular type of thing: · The average bagel has 190 calories.· In an average week I watch about 20 hours of TV.
normal - use this especially about products or methods that are the most usual type, without any special features: standard model/size/shape/pattern (=not special): · We make shoes in all standard sizes.· Prices start at $15,489 for the standard model.standard practice/procedure (=the way a job is usually done): · All hand-baggage was X-rayed - this is now standard practice at most airports.· Drug tests are a standard procedure following train accidents.standard English/pronunciation/spelling (=normally accepted as correct): · Students are encouraged to learn standard English because this is what they will need to know in the business world.
use this about something that is done regularly as part of the normal system and not because of any special problem: routine check/inspection/examination etc: · The fault was discovered during a routine check of the plane.· Police found the heroin during a routine inspection of a ship.· It was on a Saturday 15 years ago that, during a routine visit to the doctor, I learned I had cancer.
a conventional method, piece of equipment, weapon etc is of the normal type that has been used for a long time - use this especially when you are comparing one thing with something else that is new or different: · A microwave cooks food much faster than a conventional oven.· The hospital provides both conventional and alternative medical treatments.conventional weapons/arms/bombs etc (=not nuclear weapons): · a new proposal to limit conventional weapons in Europe
use this about the ordinary work, activities, and problems that happen every day: · As Managing Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.· Reeve decided to immerse himself in the day-to-day affairs of his company until business improved.
especially American ordinary but good enough for a particular purpose: · If they don't have Tylenol, just get me regular aspirin.· Even though the dye is quite strong, a regular shampoo will remove it.
mainstream books, ideas, organizations etc are not strange or extreme in any way, and are therefore popular with or suitable for most ordinary people: · After starting out as a romance novelist, she decided to try writing mainstream fiction.· Most disabled students are integrated into the mainstream educational system.· The mainstream political parties are losing support to smaller, more radical organizations.
ordinary, usual, or happening every day: · Noland makes sculptures out of everyday objects.· Arthritis made it difficult for him to do everyday things like take out the garbage or mow the lawn.· The first week of the course is spent teaching students English phrases needed for everyday life.
very ordinary, and without any interesting or unusual features · The house was clean and well kept, but very ordinary.· It's surprising that a girl as attractive as Sarah is going out with someone so ordinary looking.
a person or object that is nondescript is not at all interesting to look at because they have no special or unusual features: · The only people in the waiting room were a couple of rather nondescript elderly ladies.· The detective drives a nondescript blue Ford, perfect for observing people unnoticed.· They were an average family living a boring life in a nondescript little house in the suburbs.
very ordinary and not containing anything interesting, shocking etc, often in order to avoid offending or upsetting anyone: · The language in her speech was deliberately bland.· Most job descriptions are bland, boring and totally lacking in colour.· The college's bland appearance made it seem a little unfriendly.
someone or something that is unremarkable is very ordinary and not especially different from most other people or things: · She had had just one adventure in her otherwise unremarkable life.· Josh was, I thought, a pleasant but unremarkable young man.
ordinary people ordinary people are people who are not rich, famous, or powerful: ordinary people/folk: · Politicians don't care about ordinary people.· In the eighteenth century ordinary people had no access whatsoever to education.ordinary guy/man/woman etc: · In the film "Phenomenon", John Travolta plays an ordinary guy who becomes a genius overnight.
an average person is a typical example of a person: · The average family spends about £50 a week on food.· Foreign affairs do not usually interest the average voter.· There is concern that twenty years from now, the average American won't be able to afford to send his or her children to college.
a typical person who has ordinary opinions, likes the same things as most other people etc -- used especially by journalists: · The advertising industry has to know exactly what the man in the street is thinking.· This latest legislation will not really affect the man or woman in the street.
all the ordinary people in a society or country, especially those without special knowledge of a subject: · Very little official information is given to the general public.· She is a poet who is admired by other poets but not well-known to the general public.· Organizers of the President's funeral plan a large ceremony for the general public, and a small, private affair for his family.
the ordinary members of an organization, especially a political organization, when compared with its leaders: · The rank and file has lost confidence in the party leadership.· conflict between union leaders and the rank and file at an Alfa Romeo factory
the ordinary members at the bottom of a political or religious organization: · The decisions were taken by the party leadership without consulting the grass roots.
normal behaviour or feelings if a person is normal , there is nothing strange about them, and they are mentally and physically healthy: · Any normal boy of his age would be interested in football.· Her breathing was normal, but she had a very high temperature.it is normal (for somebody) to do something: · It is quite normal for children to be afraid of the dark.· When you start a new job, it's normal to feel somewhat overwhelmed.perfectly normal (=completely normal): · They seemed like a perfectly normal family.
feelings that are natural are what you would normally expect in a particular situation, so there is no need to feel worried or embarrassed about them: · Anger is a natural reaction when you lose someone you love.it is natural (for somebody) to do something: · I suppose it's natural for a mother to feel sad when her children leave home.· It isn't natural for a child to be so quiet.perfectly/quite natural (=completely natural): · It's perfectly natural to grieve for the loss of a pet.it's only natural spoken: · Of course Jean misses her boyfriend - it's only natural.it's only natural that: · It's only natural that people who spend a lot of time around computers either love them or hate them.
conventional people, behaviour, and opinions are the kind that most people in society think are normal and socially acceptable, although some people think they are boring and old-fashioned: · My mother was very conventional - she didn't approve of my hippie lifestyle.· a young man with conventional tastes in clothes and musicconventional wisdom (=the opinion that most people consider to be normal and right): · Conventional wisdom holds that more money for education means better schools for children.
spoken use this to say that is it normal for people to want to do something: · It's human nature to want what we don't have.
the normal situation if a situation gets back to normal or returns to normal , it becomes normal again after a period when it was not normal: · After the war it took a long time for things to get back to normal.· The strike has caused serious problems, but we hope bus services will quickly return to normal.
also normalcy American written a situation in which everything is normal and exactly how you would expect it to be: · The children soon settled down once normality was re-established.· Both leaders say they hope the relationship between their two countries will be restored to normality.· The town had a cheerful air of normalcy despite the extra policemen everywhere.
not ordinary/not normal not ordinary, but more important, interesting, or impressive than usual: · Tomorrow is a very special day for us - it's our first wedding anniversary.· Is there any special reason why I should let you borrow my car?· Lianne's doctor put her on a special diet and told her to exercise regularly.· She had a special talent for learning languages.something/anything/nothing special: · "Are you doing anything this weekend?" "No, nothing special."special occasion (=an important social event or celebration): · I only wear this suit on special occasions, like weddings.
not at all ordinary, but very unusual, very impressive etc: · As soon as I got there, I realized that this was no ordinary family gathering.· The hundreds of reporters gathered outside the courtroom were a reminder that this was no ordinary trial.
not ordinary/not normal in a very bad way very different from what is normal, in a way that is strange, worrying, or dangerous: · abnormal behaviour that may be a sign of mental illness· an abnormal chest x-ray· El Nino is caused by abnormal amounts of warm water in the Pacific Ocean.it is abnormal (for somebody) to do something: · My parents thought it was abnormal for a boy to be interested in ballet.
different from normal human behaviour in a way that seems morally wrong: · unnatural acts· In some countries, it's considered unnatural for women with families to want to work outside the home.· Brown spoke out against what he considered the unnatural lifestyles of unmarried couples who live together.
formal deviant behaviour or actions are considered to be very strange and morally unacceptable -- often used about sexual or criminal behaviour: · The magazine shows people engaging in deviant sexual acts.· Certain practices that once were condemned as deviant are now considered fairly normal.
usual use this about something that usually happens or something that someone usually does or uses: · She was sitting in her usual chair by the fire.· All the usual people were there.colder/better/slower etc than usual: · It seemed colder than usual in the house.· We've sold more than the usual amount of coal this year.it is usual for somebody to do something: · Is it usual for him to be so late?
someone's normal behaviour or habit is what they usually do in a particular situation: · She went to bed at her normal time of eleven o'clock.· It used to be normal practice to live at home with your parents until you got married.normal for: · Don't worry if Mike seemed rude - that's normal for him.be normal for somebody to do something: · It's normal for young children to misbehave sometimes.
to be the thing that most people do or think: · Going to church on Sunday used to be the norm in most households.· In the building industry, short-term employment contracts are the norm.· Smoking is no longer the norm but the exception.
usually done on a particular occasion or at a particular time of year: · We were presented with the customary bottle of champagne.it is customary to do something: · It's customary to kiss the bride at a wedding.as is customary: · As is customary, you will be paid a fixed fee for the job.
something that is routine is done as part of the normal process of working, doing a job etc: · A major electrical fault was found during a routine safety inspection.· The hospital carried out some routine tests.· Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? It's just routine.
informal use this about something that you have seen or heard many times before: · They always come up with the same old excuses for why they can't deliver on time.· They still sing the same old songs, but the audiences love it!the same old story (=use this when it is annoying that the same thing always happens): · It's always the same old story. They're two or three goals up, and then they relax and end up losing.
stock phrases, questions, answers, excuses etc are the ones that people usually use - use this about phrases, questions etc that have been used so often that they are no longer effective: · Her speech contained all the stock phrases about increasing productivity and reducing costs.· The same questions seem to be asked every time, and he gives his stock answers.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs
Life was beginning to get back to normal. If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life. He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate). He’s not well enough to live a normal life. After a few weeks, everything reverted to normal.
· The test results came back, and everything was completely normal.
(=completely normal)· Her reaction to the news was perfectly normal.
(=completely normal)· He sounded quite normal when he phoned.
· His family all seem pretty normal.
nouns· All I want is to lead a happy, normal life.
phrases (=used to emphasize that something happens very regularly)· John and Liz were late as normal.
· Under normal circumstances, you would have to pay to go into the exhibition.
· The results will be posted to you in the normal way.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal.· Were there any signs of abnormal behaviour?
· The test enables doctors to detect abnormal cells.
· I think my childhood was fairly normal.
· In normal circumstances, a child’s language will develop naturally.
· His bravery was far more than was required in the normal course of duty.
Life was beginning to get back to normal.· He was born with normal hearing but became deaf at the age of 11.
If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life. He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate). He’s not well enough to live a normal life.· As soon as she could, she resumed the normal pattern of her life.
· It’s standard procedure to take photographs of the scene of the crime.
· A normal pulse is between 70 and 90 beats a minute.
After a few weeks, everything reverted to normal.· Although he'd gone, I continued with my normal routine.
· When she came home at Christmas she seemed very quiet and not her normal self.
· Short-sighted children may be unaware of what people with normal vision can see.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· If that happens as normal, then the puffins have a better chance of survival.· Instead, the problems were soon treated as normal, and eventually, as routine.· The region is prey to drug and crime syndicates, and a cynical political class that accepts corruption as normal.· The worst thing is that you start accepting this as normal.· If your roll to wound is successful the individual receives not one wound as normal, but D6 wounds.· And all this was insouciantly described as normal.· This is recorded as normal vision.· The streets of Baghdad functioned as normal Saturday, but people expressed fear of more air strikes.
· Half a century earlier his behaviour would have seemed much more normal and aroused much less criticism.· In more normal weather, 98 percent of the San Joaquin is diverted for irrigation.· The thing that made me feel he was more normal was this little bit of dialogue.· Like most of us who grieve in more normal situations, they have to be asking themselves: Why this particular person?· Cassie smiled weakly and said in a much more normal tone, It's in the cupboard, Jen.· At certain points it can reach 10 feet but a few feet is more normal.· It did not take long for the three to put the electricity back on, and at once everything seemed more normal.· That would have been normal, surely; more normal than this chill she felt.
· This startling discovery has supported the idea that cancer develops when a cell contains too much of a perfectly normal cellular protein.· I called back, panicked, but the nurse told me that was perfectly normal.· A perfectly normal canine went barking mad with lust when Lizzy pressed the printer.· Peter was just two at the time, a perfectly normal child.· A case of perfectly normal metastasis.· It's despair that perfectly normal young men can be made vicious and evil because they've won a lot of money.· This is perfectly normal when the body goes through the physiological changes which are often brought about by the Technique.· Antecedent permission seems therefore perfectly normal.
· He sounded quite normal when he phoned, just annoyed about the holiday.· This was quite normal, and their professor had said there was no cure, but no long-lasting effect either.· The walls were mostly slate, apparently quite normal, grained rock produced by a perfectly standard physical process of alluvial deposition.· However, this language is not quite normal.· It's quite normal in a way, I suppose.· She would think it was quite normal.· Women pastors have long been regarded as something quite normal.· Six o'clock is quite normal, and if you're in the right area, pre-theatre specials are always good value.
NOUN· Who, under normal circumstances, wouldn't have?· Under normal circumstances barred owls do not frequent built-up areas.· It was also, under normal circumstances, free of serious risk that the quarry would fight back.· So under normal circumstances, it would have stopped before running one wheel up on the side of the rock.· Under normal circumstances, such as those which have pertained there for at least 685 years, it would hardly have been worth investigating.· Under normal circumstances this is as fair a valuation method to both parties as can be achieved.· In normal circumstances, of course, I would not dream of doing this.· Under normal circumstances you will be carrying an unnecessarily heavy and bulky camera.
· He just had to let things run their normal course.· His command of a heavy cruiser followed the normal course for promotion to flag rank.· What is the normal course of progression of addictive disease?· With that in mind, the president may ultimately decide to let the appeals process take its normal course.· In the normal course of events, the registration continues unless and until it is cancelled by the Society.· To begin to answer these questions, we first explore the normal course of human language development.· In the normal course of conversation I wouldn't talk about politics, I'd talk more about shagging.· Marketable securities, accounts receivable, and inventories are continually being converted into cash in the normal course of business.
· This transitive dependency should not exist in third normal form.· In its normal form the gene, called p53, appears to act as a sentinel against excessive cell growth.· Fig. 3.24 First normal form First normal form: The first stage of normalisation includes the filling in of details.· In these species, head-butting is the normal form of fighting.· Fig. 3.27 Third normal form Relations are normalised because unnormalised relations prove difficult to use.· Some may require the full power of a normal form, while some can be derived directly.· The third section identifies a number of situations where such equivalences can arise, and develops a normal form for finite programs.
· At normal level but cold and clear.· In the fourth quarter, premiums went back to their normal levels.· The real measure should be whether selection is significant against normal levels of background variation.· Experts say it would take years of equally historic rainfall to get water supplies back to normal levels.· Therefore, the lighting that had been installed to provide a normal level of additional illumination could not be described as plant.· Eastern winds have brought what had been fair sport back to a normal level for the time of year.· Gloucester, the amount of ammonia was more than fifteen times the normal level.
· She had enough nerve for anything in her normal life but this contact with crime was different.· In the ocean they live to be 40, double their normal life expectancy in captivity.· But you can't stop that child from living a normal life.· A few of the very best analysts, months into their new jobs, lost their will to live normal lives.· Harry will probably get over his affection for Lucy once we return to a normal life again.· In the case of a normal life interest trust the trustee expenses will reduce the taxpayer's total income.· Though leading outwardly normal lives, many from the Kindertransporte were still subject to emotional repercussions long into adult life.· You may feel that you have suddenly been excluded from normal life.
· The two men have never had any disagreements that normal people couldn't sort out.· The characters are not exaggerations, but normal people with a Texas flavor.· To get away from the fog, to be with normal people again.· This situation can cause them to store away more fat than normal people, and can eventually lead to diabetes.· But big-beast politicians aren't wholly normal people.· There may be no reason for normal people to go to such extremes.· The Piaroa leaders, the ruwatu, take more skills of wizardry within themselves than normal people.· In doses far below those used for anesthetic purposes, ketamine makes normal people become acutely psychotic.
· The management of Disinfection Disinfection in normal practice presents a challenge to management.· But the new law failed to change normal practice, and such cases remained rare.· This is a normal practice where, for instance, the night porter books in a guest after reception has closed.· The normal practice is to appoint two or more directors, one of whom is the company secretary.· I gather this is normal practice but I find it a little unreasonable.· It is normal practice for the heads to specify that each party will be responsible for the costs of its own advisers.· For others the wearing of nightclothes may be contrary to their normal practice.· It is normal practice for the definitive sale and purchase agreement to be drafted by the acquirer's solicitors.
· They say it's normal procedure at other Universities to wash contaminated materials like rubber gloves and glass containers.· This is normal procedure inmost research institutions.· Under normal procedures the Supreme Court would rule on the motion before the 1992 presidential elections took place.· It appears that he was spared the normal procedure of having his fingerprints and photograph taken.· This is normal procedure and need cause you no concern.· An army spokesman said that the security vetting of personnel was a normal procedure in all defence forces.· It is the normal procedure in the vast majority of cases.· On appeal he was found not guilty because he was carrying out a normal procedure approved by the medical profession.
· How can I keep within the normal range when this sort of thing happens?· They have since returned to their normal range.· The indices examined all improved significantly to within the normal range after one year on diet.· Uricosuric agents generally do not lower uric acid levels below the normal range.· An average figure is about seven heads high, but anything between six and eight heads is well within the normal range.· Men in their 60s and 70s often have testosterone levels in the low end of the normal range for young men.· Serum creatinine, amylase, serum asparate transaminase, and serum alanine transaminase were within the normal range.· The transparency measures, also within the normal range, were similarly unremarkable.
· I was not my normal self ... I felt very deeply for him.· With men other than Hank he was his normal self, or better.· She looked defeated, quite unlike her normal self.· But when nobody was there she changed to her normal self again.· Just not like my normal self at all.· Perhaps it was the contrast between this creature and my normal self.· For some reason he is angered out of his normal self and clearly Ana is miserable.· Jekyll is his normal self again - at least, he was until last week.
· The normal subject displayed only short bursts of reflux with a maximum duration of four minutes.· About 80 percent of normal subjects make this error.· Data were compared with those obtained in 18 normal subjects.· Panel A shows the basal state before any administration of fluid to a normal subject.· In this study, we found platelet activating factor in four of 13 normal subjects.· This meal was designed to include many reflux provoking foods to maximise postprandial reflux in normal subjects.· Recent studies with ambulatory pressure monitoring systems indicate that an appreciable number of non-peristaltic contractions are commonly found in apparently normal subjects.· In normal subjects in the fasted state segmenting pressure activity is low and little transit of marker is seen.
· We seek to make such discussions as different as possible from the normal way in which we work.· Now that's the normal way we think about things, and it makes a lot of sense.· Once you have worked out which models have been struck by the mortar work out damage in the normal way.· The points cost of these special characters comes out of your Character points allowance in the normal way.· We call upon everybody... to continue their work in the normal way.· And the hair that looked as though it had been dramatically carved out of something shiny rather than been grown in the normal way.· Drift has been allowed for on the outbound leg in the normal way and 1 minute has been flow outbound.· On completion the repair is primed and painted in the normal way.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Your copies of the books will follow in the normal course of events and should be with you soon.
- And you need to be halfway decent and honest and real.
- Discs viable, a second halfway decent act was required.
- Reading about that stuff, downing really halfway decent coffee.
- Sefelt has pulled back halfway normal, swelling up and down with big wet, rattling breaths.
- Besides which, you've missed the point as per usual: to speak is to admit existence.
- Same old jolly camp-fire life went on as per usual.
- It is normal practice for the definitive sale and purchase agreement to be drafted by the acquirer's solicitors.
- It is normal practice for the heads to specify that each party will be responsible for the costs of its own advisers.
- It is normal practice for the purchaser to order a survey for two reasons.
- It is normal practice for the vendor to disclose various documents to the purchaser as part of the disclosure exercise.
- Motorcycles would be kept out by barriers at each end - this is normal practice for cycle/pedestrian paths.
- The first is the wide variation in specification and finish that are standard practice in the motor industry.
- This is standard practice, but such an event is unlikely.
- Whatever the circumstances, it is standard practice in embryo transfer to introduce several embryos at a time.
- Anything of quality was exciting in those days, for the usual run of food was of a dullness today hardly comprehensible.
- Credit taken by the general run of consumers - those not in an extremity of financial need - was not specially regulated.
- In the normal run of things I would have had no business there, no access.
- It has been designed to be different from the usual run of the mill international tax conference.
- It ought to be said that this particular extract poses more difficulties than the normal run of parish registers.
- This, however, was not the normal run of things.
- What should we do when confronted with claims which are conspicuously at odds with the general run of experience?
WORD FAMILYnounnormality/normalcy ≠ abnormalitynormalnormalizationadjectivenormal ≠ abnormalverbnormalizeadverbnormally ≠ abnormally
1usual, 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.2someone 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.COLLOCATIONSadverbscompletely 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.nounsa normal life· All I want is to lead a happy, normal life.phrasesas 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.THESAURUSnormal 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 cookingeveryday [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 peopleconventional [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 microwavesnormal1 adjectivenormal2 noun
normalnormal2 AWL noun [uncountable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- These patients will always be slightly shorter than normal.
- In Texas, and all across the Southwest, rainfall this year is as much as 70-85 percent below normal.
Longman Language Activatornot special or unusual
ordinary things are not special or unusual: · It's just an ordinary house in an ordinary street.· He wore an ordinary business suit with a white shirt and tie.· Can you get connected to the Internet through an ordinary telephone line?· Gillman's known for her photographs of ordinary household items.
something that is normal is just as you would expect it to be, because it is not special or different: · The new Ford looks like any normal car, but it has a special advanced engine.· January 2nd is a public holiday in Scotland, but in England it is a normal working day.· Once the pain has gone away, you can resume your normal activities.perfectly normal: · It was a perfectly normal flight until the plane suddenly started to shake.it's normal: · It may have seemed unusually cold recently but experts say it's normal for this time of year.above/below normal: · Tides will be six feet above normal this afternoon.
an average thing is a typical example of a particular type of thing: · The average bagel has 190 calories.· In an average week I watch about 20 hours of TV.
normal - use this especially about products or methods that are the most usual type, without any special features: standard model/size/shape/pattern (=not special): · We make shoes in all standard sizes.· Prices start at $15,489 for the standard model.standard practice/procedure (=the way a job is usually done): · All hand-baggage was X-rayed - this is now standard practice at most airports.· Drug tests are a standard procedure following train accidents.standard English/pronunciation/spelling (=normally accepted as correct): · Students are encouraged to learn standard English because this is what they will need to know in the business world.
use this about something that is done regularly as part of the normal system and not because of any special problem: routine check/inspection/examination etc: · The fault was discovered during a routine check of the plane.· Police found the heroin during a routine inspection of a ship.· It was on a Saturday 15 years ago that, during a routine visit to the doctor, I learned I had cancer.
a conventional method, piece of equipment, weapon etc is of the normal type that has been used for a long time - use this especially when you are comparing one thing with something else that is new or different: · A microwave cooks food much faster than a conventional oven.· The hospital provides both conventional and alternative medical treatments.conventional weapons/arms/bombs etc (=not nuclear weapons): · a new proposal to limit conventional weapons in Europe
use this about the ordinary work, activities, and problems that happen every day: · As Managing Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.· Reeve decided to immerse himself in the day-to-day affairs of his company until business improved.
especially American ordinary but good enough for a particular purpose: · If they don't have Tylenol, just get me regular aspirin.· Even though the dye is quite strong, a regular shampoo will remove it.
mainstream books, ideas, organizations etc are not strange or extreme in any way, and are therefore popular with or suitable for most ordinary people: · After starting out as a romance novelist, she decided to try writing mainstream fiction.· Most disabled students are integrated into the mainstream educational system.· The mainstream political parties are losing support to smaller, more radical organizations.
ordinary, usual, or happening every day: · Noland makes sculptures out of everyday objects.· Arthritis made it difficult for him to do everyday things like take out the garbage or mow the lawn.· The first week of the course is spent teaching students English phrases needed for everyday life.
very ordinary, and without any interesting or unusual features · The house was clean and well kept, but very ordinary.· It's surprising that a girl as attractive as Sarah is going out with someone so ordinary looking.
a person or object that is nondescript is not at all interesting to look at because they have no special or unusual features: · The only people in the waiting room were a couple of rather nondescript elderly ladies.· The detective drives a nondescript blue Ford, perfect for observing people unnoticed.· They were an average family living a boring life in a nondescript little house in the suburbs.
very ordinary and not containing anything interesting, shocking etc, often in order to avoid offending or upsetting anyone: · The language in her speech was deliberately bland.· Most job descriptions are bland, boring and totally lacking in colour.· The college's bland appearance made it seem a little unfriendly.
someone or something that is unremarkable is very ordinary and not especially different from most other people or things: · She had had just one adventure in her otherwise unremarkable life.· Josh was, I thought, a pleasant but unremarkable young man.
ordinary people ordinary people are people who are not rich, famous, or powerful: ordinary people/folk: · Politicians don't care about ordinary people.· In the eighteenth century ordinary people had no access whatsoever to education.ordinary guy/man/woman etc: · In the film "Phenomenon", John Travolta plays an ordinary guy who becomes a genius overnight.
an average person is a typical example of a person: · The average family spends about £50 a week on food.· Foreign affairs do not usually interest the average voter.· There is concern that twenty years from now, the average American won't be able to afford to send his or her children to college.
a typical person who has ordinary opinions, likes the same things as most other people etc -- used especially by journalists: · The advertising industry has to know exactly what the man in the street is thinking.· This latest legislation will not really affect the man or woman in the street.
all the ordinary people in a society or country, especially those without special knowledge of a subject: · Very little official information is given to the general public.· She is a poet who is admired by other poets but not well-known to the general public.· Organizers of the President's funeral plan a large ceremony for the general public, and a small, private affair for his family.
the ordinary members of an organization, especially a political organization, when compared with its leaders: · The rank and file has lost confidence in the party leadership.· conflict between union leaders and the rank and file at an Alfa Romeo factory
the ordinary members at the bottom of a political or religious organization: · The decisions were taken by the party leadership without consulting the grass roots.
normal behaviour or feelings if a person is normal , there is nothing strange about them, and they are mentally and physically healthy: · Any normal boy of his age would be interested in football.· Her breathing was normal, but she had a very high temperature.it is normal (for somebody) to do something: · It is quite normal for children to be afraid of the dark.· When you start a new job, it's normal to feel somewhat overwhelmed.perfectly normal (=completely normal): · They seemed like a perfectly normal family.
feelings that are natural are what you would normally expect in a particular situation, so there is no need to feel worried or embarrassed about them: · Anger is a natural reaction when you lose someone you love.it is natural (for somebody) to do something: · I suppose it's natural for a mother to feel sad when her children leave home.· It isn't natural for a child to be so quiet.perfectly/quite natural (=completely natural): · It's perfectly natural to grieve for the loss of a pet.it's only natural spoken: · Of course Jean misses her boyfriend - it's only natural.it's only natural that: · It's only natural that people who spend a lot of time around computers either love them or hate them.
conventional people, behaviour, and opinions are the kind that most people in society think are normal and socially acceptable, although some people think they are boring and old-fashioned: · My mother was very conventional - she didn't approve of my hippie lifestyle.· a young man with conventional tastes in clothes and musicconventional wisdom (=the opinion that most people consider to be normal and right): · Conventional wisdom holds that more money for education means better schools for children.
spoken use this to say that is it normal for people to want to do something: · It's human nature to want what we don't have.
the normal situation if a situation gets back to normal or returns to normal , it becomes normal again after a period when it was not normal: · After the war it took a long time for things to get back to normal.· The strike has caused serious problems, but we hope bus services will quickly return to normal.
also normalcy American written a situation in which everything is normal and exactly how you would expect it to be: · The children soon settled down once normality was re-established.· Both leaders say they hope the relationship between their two countries will be restored to normality.· The town had a cheerful air of normalcy despite the extra policemen everywhere.
not ordinary/not normal not ordinary, but more important, interesting, or impressive than usual: · Tomorrow is a very special day for us - it's our first wedding anniversary.· Is there any special reason why I should let you borrow my car?· Lianne's doctor put her on a special diet and told her to exercise regularly.· She had a special talent for learning languages.something/anything/nothing special: · "Are you doing anything this weekend?" "No, nothing special."special occasion (=an important social event or celebration): · I only wear this suit on special occasions, like weddings.
not at all ordinary, but very unusual, very impressive etc: · As soon as I got there, I realized that this was no ordinary family gathering.· The hundreds of reporters gathered outside the courtroom were a reminder that this was no ordinary trial.
not ordinary/not normal in a very bad way very different from what is normal, in a way that is strange, worrying, or dangerous: · abnormal behaviour that may be a sign of mental illness· an abnormal chest x-ray· El Nino is caused by abnormal amounts of warm water in the Pacific Ocean.it is abnormal (for somebody) to do something: · My parents thought it was abnormal for a boy to be interested in ballet.
different from normal human behaviour in a way that seems morally wrong: · unnatural acts· In some countries, it's considered unnatural for women with families to want to work outside the home.· Brown spoke out against what he considered the unnatural lifestyles of unmarried couples who live together.
formal deviant behaviour or actions are considered to be very strange and morally unacceptable -- often used about sexual or criminal behaviour: · The magazine shows people engaging in deviant sexual acts.· Certain practices that once were condemned as deviant are now considered fairly normal.
to be strong or happy again after a period of problems or unhappiness · Experts believe that Colombia is now over the worst of its troubles.· Sharon seems to be over her reading difficulties now.· It took Greg a long time to cope with his parents' divorce, but I think he's over it now.
to feel mentally and physically well again after a period when you experienced emotional problems and unhappiness: · It's good to see that Mandy's herself again.· It wasn't until six months after my husband's death that I started to feel myself again.
if a person is back to normal , they are just as they were before their problems or troubles started: · I think Judith was quite badly affected by shock, but she seems to be back to normal now.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Thankfully, train services are now back to normal. Slowly her heartbeat returned to normal. Car sales are still below normal for the time of year. The journey took longer than normal.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Life was beginning to get back to normal. If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life. He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate). He’s not well enough to live a normal life. After a few weeks, everything reverted to normal.
Thankfully, train services are now back to normal. Slowly her heartbeat returned to normal. Car sales are still below normal for the time of year. The journey took longer than normal.· They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal.· Were there any signs of abnormal behaviour?
· The test enables doctors to detect abnormal cells.
· I think my childhood was fairly normal.
· In normal circumstances, a child’s language will develop naturally.
· His bravery was far more than was required in the normal course of duty.
Life was beginning to get back to normal.· He was born with normal hearing but became deaf at the age of 11.
If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life. He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate). He’s not well enough to live a normal life.· As soon as she could, she resumed the normal pattern of her life.
· It’s standard procedure to take photographs of the scene of the crime.
· A normal pulse is between 70 and 90 beats a minute.
After a few weeks, everything reverted to normal.· Although he'd gone, I continued with my normal routine.
· When she came home at Christmas she seemed very quiet and not her normal self.
· Short-sighted children may be unaware of what people with normal vision can see.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Medium Range Outlook Mostly sunny skies and temperatures slightly above normal is the expected weather over the next week.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Your copies of the books will follow in the normal course of events and should be with you soon.
- And you need to be halfway decent and honest and real.
- Discs viable, a second halfway decent act was required.
- Reading about that stuff, downing really halfway decent coffee.
- Sefelt has pulled back halfway normal, swelling up and down with big wet, rattling breaths.
- Besides which, you've missed the point as per usual: to speak is to admit existence.
- Same old jolly camp-fire life went on as per usual.
- It is normal practice for the definitive sale and purchase agreement to be drafted by the acquirer's solicitors.
- It is normal practice for the heads to specify that each party will be responsible for the costs of its own advisers.
- It is normal practice for the purchaser to order a survey for two reasons.
- It is normal practice for the vendor to disclose various documents to the purchaser as part of the disclosure exercise.
- Motorcycles would be kept out by barriers at each end - this is normal practice for cycle/pedestrian paths.
- The first is the wide variation in specification and finish that are standard practice in the motor industry.
- This is standard practice, but such an event is unlikely.
- Whatever the circumstances, it is standard practice in embryo transfer to introduce several embryos at a time.
- Anything of quality was exciting in those days, for the usual run of food was of a dullness today hardly comprehensible.
- Credit taken by the general run of consumers - those not in an extremity of financial need - was not specially regulated.
- In the normal run of things I would have had no business there, no access.
- It has been designed to be different from the usual run of the mill international tax conference.
- It ought to be said that this particular extract poses more difficulties than the normal run of parish registers.
- This, however, was not the normal run of things.
- What should we do when confronted with claims which are conspicuously at odds with the general run of experience?
WORD FAMILYnounnormality/normalcy ≠ abnormalitynormalnormalizationadjectivenormal ≠ abnormalverbnormalizeadverbnormally ≠ abnormally
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.