abnormal

adjective

ab·nor·mal | \ (ˌ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl

, əb-\

Definition of abnormal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: deviating from the normal or average a person with abnormal [=exceptional] strength abnormal powers of concentration often : unusual in an unwelcome or problematic way abnormal behavior abnormal test results

abnormal

noun

Definition of abnormal (Entry 2 of 2)

: an abnormal person

Other Words from abnormal Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about abnormal

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of abnormal in a Sentence

Adjective

The results of the blood test were abnormal. a completely abnormal school day, because half of the kids were out sick

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Tu Le, 63, was diagnosed in January 2018 with Myelodysplastic syndrome, which occurs when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal. — Tatiana Sanchez, SFChronicle.com, "Vietnamese men denied visas for life-saving transplant for brother in San Jose," 7 June 2019 Nothing was abnormal enough to give a clear answer. — Julia Michie Bruckner, Discover Magazine, "Is a Teen's Pain Just Drama, or Something Worse?," 12 Mar. 2019 Five years ago, talking to your phone seemed abnormal, even creepy. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "Google Just Proved That Our Voice Is the Ultimate UI," 7 May 2019 These imbalances can also cause symptoms like abnormal heart rhythms, weakness, confusion and seizures, per the Mayo Clinic. — Korin Miller, SELF, "5 Things You Need To Know About Using Laxatives For Weight Loss," 2 Jan. 2019 Read more: Spending days playing at other homes showed me the normalcy of life and also the abnormal aspects of mine. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Resisting pressure to break diets," 6 July 2018 Quite how abnormal that season was has been laid bare in the months since. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "At Real Madrid, a Reign Fueled by Wins, and Dependent on More," 14 Feb. 2018 None of these normal things matter to the Chargers because the Chargers are abnormal. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The NFL Team With Road-Field Advantage," 10 Jan. 2019 The proteosome is a complex of enzymes in the skin that eliminate abnormal or damaged proteins. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "La Prairie Wants You To Spend $655 On a Pre-Serum Lotion," 6 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abnormal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for abnormal

Adjective

New Latin abnormis "deviating from the average" (going back to Medieval Latin, "not conforming to rule," going back to Latin, "belonging to no school of philosophy," from ab- ab- + norma "carpenter's rule, pattern") + -al entry 1 — more at norm

Noun

noun derivative of abnormal entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about abnormal

Dictionary Entries near abnormal

Statistics for abnormal

Last Updated

20 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for abnormal

The first known use of abnormal was in 1817

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for abnormal

abnormal

adjective

ab·nor·mal | \ ab-ˈnȯr-məl

Kids Definition of abnormal

: differing from the normal usually in a noticeable way an abnormal growth

abnormal

adjective

ab·nor·mal | \ (ˈ)ab-ˈnȯr-məl

Medical Definition of abnormal

(Entry 1 of 2)

: deviating from the normal, average, or expected abnormal development results of the Pap smear were abnormal abnormal actions departing from accepted standards of social behavior