# normal

/ˈnɔɹməɫ/ (US) · /nˈɔːməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/normal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. usual or expected

adjective · CEFR A2

usual, typical, or expected under ordinary circumstances.

For teachers: conforming to a standard, pattern, or expected level of performance or behaviour.

- It is normal to feel a little nervous before you give a presentation.
- Under normal operating conditions, the cooling system maintains a constant temperature without requiring manual intervention from the staff.

### 2. healthy or sane

adjective · CEFR B1

healthy in mind and body; not suffering from any illness or mental health issues.

For teachers: functioning within the expected range of physical or psychological health.

- The doctor said my test results were normal and I have nothing to worry about.
- The patient exhibited normal cognitive function during the assessment, showing no signs of the memory loss reported by his family.

### 3. perpendicular

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

meeting a surface or line at a right angle (90 degrees).

For teachers: perpendicular to a tangent of a curve or a tangent plane of a surface.

- The normal force acts directly upward from the surface of the table.
- The incident ray of light is measured relative to the normal line drawn at the point of contact with the mirror.

### 4. chemical concentration

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific way of measuring how much of a substance is in a liquid.

For teachers: relating to a solution containing one equivalent weight of solute per litre of solution.

- The chemist prepared a normal solution for the titration experiment.
- The laboratory protocol required a 1.0 normal hydrochloric acid solution to ensure the reaction reached completion within the specified timeframe.

### 5. the usual state

noun · CEFR B1

the usual or average situation or condition.

For teachers: the usual, average, or expected state or condition; often used in the phrase 'back to normal'.

- After the long holiday, it took a few days for life to return to normal.
- The city struggled to establish a new normal in the aftermath of the flood, as many businesses remained closed for months.

### 6. a mainstream person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who fits into mainstream society and does not have unusual habits.

For teachers: a person who conforms to mainstream social standards, often used in contrast to those with alternative lifestyles.

- He tries to act like a normal, but his friends know how quirky he really is.
- The subculture often viewed 'normals' with a mix of pity and disdain, seeing their conventional lives as boring and predictable.

## Examples

- Life is finally getting back to normal after the long holiday.
- The doctor said that your blood pressure is well within the range of normal for your age.
- Economists are debating whether the current low interest rates represent a temporary dip or a new normal for the global market.

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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.