abnormal

adjective

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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 Phrases Containing abnormal Learn More About abnormal

Other Words from abnormal

Adjective

abnormally \ (ˌ)ab-ˈnȯr-mə-lē

, əb- \ adverb

behaving abnormally

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 The spa-like Lincoln Star is every bit as unreasonable, abnormal, and conceptual as a concept should be. — Lincoln, Car and Driver, 21 Apr. 2022 The powerful effects of neuromodulators mean that abnormal levels of these chemicals can lead to numerous human diseases and mood disorders. — Quanta Magazine, 22 Mar. 2022 The thyroid regulates virtually every system in the body, so abnormal thyroid levels have many different possible effects. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 24 Feb. 2022 This isn’t completely abnormal for punk artists from the era. — Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 19 Apr. 2022 Nothing felt abnormal for Keon Coleman and Maliq Carr in shifting from football to basketball and back. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2022 After its release, hype drove ApeCoin’s price fluctuation, but such volatility isn’t abnormal for airdropped tokens or for the space in general. — Taylor Locke, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2022 By association, the remote familiarity of the virtual sessions served as a reminder that the in-person proceedings were not entirely abnormal, despite their strangeness. — Jacob Brogan, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2022 But wanting an indoor temperature of 75 is not abnormal for an 80-year-old. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 Mar. 2022 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, 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, 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, 22 Aug. 2020 Welcome to the Charles Schwab Challenge and the PGA Tour’s new abnormal. — Dallas News, 12 June 2020 The emergence of a new abnormal will depend on several factors. — Eric M. Stone, STAT, 5 June 2020 See More

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

Learn More About abnormal

Dictionary Entries Near abnormal

Abney level

abnormal

abnormalcy

Statistics for abnormal

Last Updated

17 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Abnormal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnormal. Accessed 28 May. 2022.

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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