normative

adjective nor·ma·tive \ ˈnȯr-mə-tiv \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

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

—

normatively

adverb

—

normativeness

noun

See normative defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of normative from the Web

White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population.

— katie kosma, Longreads, "White Men On The Edge of a Nervous Breakdown," 5 July 2018
White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population.

— katie kosma, Longreads, "White Men On The Edge of a Nervous Breakdown," 5 July 2018
White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population.

— katie kosma, Longreads, "White Men On The Edge of a Nervous Breakdown," 5 July 2018
White men are at the center, our normative citizen, despite being only around a third of the nation’s population.

— rebecca traister, The Cut, "Summer of Rage," 29 June 2018
The machine also is able to compare a patient's movements to normative movements, aiding doctors in figuring out a treatment plan.

— emma austin, The Courier-Journal, "Kids make strides using new technology at Norton Healthcare," 7 June 2018
The second is more normative, and that is upholding the non-use of chemical weapons.

— israel kasnett, Jewish Journal, "As situation heats up in Syria, will Iran again target Israel?," 24 Apr. 2018
During a speech this past weekend in Lima, Pence displayed what some may consider to be the compassionate conservatism that the last Republican president attempted to make more normative among the GOP.

— eugene scott, Washington Post, "Pence’s tone toward refugees may be softer than Trump’s but that’s where the difference ends," 16 Apr. 2018
Embedded within Islam are a set of normative practices, and those practices matter.

— omar suleiman, CNN, "Why 80% of American Muslims fast during Ramadan. (It's not about the food.)," 10 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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NORMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

normative

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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normatively

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