normative

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adjective nor·ma·tive \ ˈnȯr-mə-tiv \

Definition of normative

1 :of, relating to, or determining norms or standards

normative tests

2 :conforming to or based on norms

normative behavior

normative judgments

3 :prescribing (see prescribe 1) norms

normative rules of ethics

normative grammar

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normatively

adverb

—

normativeness

noun

See normative defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of normative from the Web

Identities that diverged from the normative Spanish identity that Franco promoted were regarded as a threat.

— emily lever, Esquire, "The Revolutionary History of Espadrilles," 17 Aug. 2017
And somehow, her over-the-top gender-normative attire isn’t a turnoff.

— jen gann, The Cut, "What Does Your Favorite Celebrity Baby Say About You?," 27 June 2017
A sensational comedy, a wild, surreal family drama, skewering normative masculinity, a blindingly articulate embrace of the possible future.

— Philly.com, "Theater: New and Noteworthy," 25 June 2017
First, WHO is the chief normative and convening authority in global health.

— mara pillinger, Washington Post, "The World Health Organization spends more on travel than on key diseases. That’s actually okay.," 22 June 2017
Over the past year, Comey’s detractors have debated his actions and decisions on normative grounds.

— nicholas schmidle, The New Yorker, "James Comey’s Intellectual History," 7 June 2017
The photographer explains that women have been allowed to embrace masculine things, even masculinity, in a way that’s become normative: pants, short haircuts, having a career.

— chaédria labouvier, Harper's BAZAAR, "Photographer's Arresting Images Test Boundaries of Being Gender Fluid in America," 31 May 2017
This is especially upsetting because there are a number of political theorists and philosophers of color positioned to easily say something meaningful about the movement and its connection to substantive normative issues.

— monique judge, The Root, "Journal Publishes ‘Black Lives Matter’ Issue Without Any Black Writers," 30 May 2017
The guys are tasked with changing diapers, bumping baby dolls, vacuuming, and otherwise living out gender-normative stereotypes etc.

— ashley iaconetti, Cosmopolitan, "Bachelorette Recap: Love & Basketball (& Dogs, & Baby Dolls)," 30 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of normative

French normatif, from norme norm, from Latin norma

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First Known Use: 1852

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NORMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

normative

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adjective

Definition of normative for English Language Learners

: based on what is considered to be the usual or correct way of doing something

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normative

Definition of normative

normatively

normativeness

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Origin and Etymology of normative

NORMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

normative

Definition of normative for English Language Learners

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normatively

normativeness

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