Word
abnormality
Phoneticsab·nor·mal·i·ty, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌæbnɔɹˈmæɫəti/
UK/ɐbnɔːmˈælɪti/
Definition
n. something that is not normal or expected. It can be a physical change in the body or a strange situation that does not follow the usual rules.
n. a state or condition that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. Often used in medical contexts to describe physical or physiological deviations.
Examples
“The doctor noticed a small abnormality in the X-ray.”
“The sudden change in the weather was an abnormality that caught the local farmers completely off guard.”
“While some minor physical abnormalities are common in healthy populations, the presence of multiple significant deviations often indicates an underlying systemic issue that requires further investigation.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor noticed a small abnormality in the X-ray.”
contextual
“The sudden change in the weather was an abnormality that caught the local farmers completely off guard.”
complex
“While some minor physical abnormalities are common in healthy populations, the presence of multiple significant deviations often indicates an underlying systemic issue that requires further investigation.”
Real-World Examples
“When we asked dozens of herders how they were physically affected by the drought, the majority reported experiencing headaches, breathing abnormalities and extreme sweating— all symptoms of heat-related illness .” Etymology
From abnormal + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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