norm
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a rule or way of behaving that most people in a group follow and expect.
n.a standard or pattern of social behavior that is accepted or expected within a particular group or community.
Simple“In some cultures, it is the norm to take off your shoes before entering a house.”
In context“Sociologists study how cultural norms evolve over time, particularly in response to rapid technological changes that disrupt traditional social interactions.”
UsageOften used in the plural 'norms' when discussing cultural expectations.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something that is usual, typical, or expected.
n.a situation or level of performance that is typical or average for a particular group.
Simple“Working late every night has unfortunately become the norm at this office.”
In context“The mild temperatures recorded this winter are well above the seasonal norm for this region of the country.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a rule used to calculate the length or size of a vector.
n.a function that assigns a strictly positive length or size to each vector in a vector space.
Simple“The professor explained how to calculate the norm of a vector in three-dimensional space.”
In context“In linear algebra, the Euclidean norm provides the standard distance from the origin to a given point in space.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to set a standard for something or to give a mathematical space a rule for length.
v.to normalize or to endow a mathematical structure, such as a vector space, with a norm.
Simple“The researchers had to norm the data before they could compare the two different groups.”
In context“The mathematician demonstrated how to norm the vector space using a non-standard metric to achieve the desired convergence properties.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Synonyms
Usage different norm · social norm
“It is a footballing norm to have wise heads around to protect young players.”