abnormal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way that is not good.
adj.deviating from a standard, rule, or typical pattern; often used in technical or medical contexts to describe results outside the expected range.
Simple“The doctor said the test results were abnormal and ordered more scans.”
In context“The meteorological station recorded abnormal temperature fluctuations throughout the month, suggesting a significant shift in regional climate patterns.”
UsageOften used to describe data, physical conditions, or weather patterns.
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.behaving in a way that is not considered social or healthy by most people.
adj.pertaining to behaviour that deviates from social norms or accepted standards of psychological health.
Simple“The suspect showed abnormal behaviour during the police interview.”
In context“Psychologists noted that the subject's abnormal reactions to social stimuli were consistent with a rare neurological condition.”
Teacher's tipIn modern social contexts, this can sound judgmental; 'atypical' or 'unconventional' are often softer alternatives.
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a person or thing that is not normal.
n.an individual or object that deviates from the norm; used as a substantive noun.
Simple“In this group of healthy plants, this stunted one is an abnormal.”
In context“The researcher categorised the outliers as abnormals to be studied separately from the control group.”
UsageRarely used as a noun in modern English; usually functions as an adjective.
From ab- + normal. First attested in 1835, replacing the earlier anormal and even earlier abnormous, from Latin abnormis (“departing from normal”), from either ab- (“away from”) + norma (“rule, norm”), or Ancient Greek ἀνώμαλος (anṓmalos).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.