# abnormal

/æbˈnɔɹməɫ/ (US) · /ɐbnˈɔːməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abnormal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unusual or irregular

adjective · CEFR B2

different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way that is not good.

For teachers: deviating from a standard, rule, or typical pattern; often used in technical or medical contexts to describe results outside the expected range.

- The doctor said the test results were abnormal and ordered more scans.
- The meteorological station recorded abnormal temperature fluctuations throughout the month, suggesting a significant shift in regional climate patterns.

Usage: Often used to describe data, physical conditions, or weather patterns.

### 2. socially or mentally unusual

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

behaving in a way that is not considered social or healthy by most people.

For teachers: pertaining to behaviour that deviates from social norms or accepted standards of psychological health.

- The suspect showed abnormal behaviour during the police interview.
- Psychologists noted that the subject's abnormal reactions to social stimuli were consistent with a rare neurological condition.

Teaching tip: In modern social contexts, this can sound judgmental; 'atypical' or 'unconventional' are often softer alternatives.

### 3. an unusual person or thing

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a person or thing that is not normal.

For teachers: an individual or object that deviates from the norm; used as a substantive noun.

- In this group of healthy plants, this stunted one is an abnormal.
- The researcher categorised the outliers as abnormals to be studied separately from the control group.

Usage: Rarely used as a noun in modern English; usually functions as an adjective.

## Examples

- The doctor said the test results were abnormal.
- The city experienced abnormal rainfall this month, leading to unexpected flooding in the downtown area.
- While minor variations in heart rate are common, these abnormal readings suggest an underlying condition that requires further investigation by a specialist.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.