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

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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 Boyd was removed from Thursday's start against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning because of an abnormal feeling in his left knee, later revealed to be tendinitis. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd (left knee) expected to miss one start, avoid injured list," 1 May 2021 The intent: To supersede Donald Trump's abnormal, aberrant presidency with an aggressively normal approach. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "From ad-libs to whispers, here's how the Biden address to Congress was covered by the press," 29 Apr. 2021 Only one device was drawing an abnormal amount of data—nearly two hundred times more than the others. — Ew Staff, EW.com, "Read the first three chapters of Kathy Wang's new spy thriller Impostor Syndrome," 27 Apr. 2021 Plus, inflammation can interfere with the electrical system that maintains this pumping action, leading to abnormal heart rhythms, otherwise known as arrhythmias. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, "Are Rare Cases Of Myocarditis Linked To Pfizer, Moderna Covid-19 Vaccines?," 27 Apr. 2021 The show's producers took great pains to make the show feel as normal as possible during a decidedly abnormal time. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "The 2021 Oscars Red Carpet Was All About the '90s Midriff," 26 Apr. 2021 Adjudication happens after the computer software processing the ballots detects an abnormal ballot. — Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage will recount election results for another school board seat," 26 Apr. 2021 Texas’ season began Sept. 24 and expired April 24, a wholly abnormal timeframe caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "'Blood boiling' after NCAA title match loss, Texas already gearing up for next season," 25 Apr. 2021 Brighton, 35, is a normal guy leading a normal life about to try something utterly abnormal. — Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, "Hyde: The Ironman x 10, how far can one athlete push himself? | Commentary," 24 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Primed for speed and for the social distancing of the new abnormal, Toro Coffee does its thing exclusively at the drive-thru, with a window on each side of this white box building near Rackspace on the Northeast Side. — Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "5 great new coffee shops for a San Antonio wake-up call: Cultura, Laika Cheesecake & Espresso, Revolución Coffee + Juice, Tandem and Toro Coffee," 28 Jan. 2021 Several in the Santiam district spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive about what’s become a catchphrase of the double bind -- the new abnormal. — oregonlive, "Oregon wildfires heap emotional trauma on children already suffering from coronavirus pandemic," 20 Oct. 2020 The abnormal of 2020 continued through this game as lightning delayed the game by more than half an hour late in the third quarter, and with 3:52 remaining in the game, half of the stadium's lighting went out. — al, "Clay-Chalkville cruises past Shades Valley 37-19 in season opener," 22 Aug. 2020 Welcome to the Charles Schwab Challenge and the PGA Tour’s new abnormal. — Dallas News, "This year’s Charles Schwab at Colonial will be memorable. Hopefully for good sanitization, but definitely for the silence.," 12 June 2020 The emergence of a new abnormal will depend on several factors. — Eric M. Stone, STAT, "Covid-19 is changing the game for health care companies and investors," 5 June 2020

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

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Last Updated

5 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnormal. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

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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