normative

adjective

nor·​ma·​tive ˈnȯr-mə-tiv 

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 sense 1) norms

normative rules of ethics

normative grammar

normatively adverb

normativeness noun

Thus the normativeness of truth is preserved, along with its transcendence of what is presently assertible …

—Colin McGinn

normativity

ˌnȯr-mə-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

plural normativities

In our world of shifting gender normativity and embrace of non-traditional expression, the beauty world is reaching out to men—both with products that fit into masculine grooming routines, and ones that break all barriers.

—Samuel Hine

… notes that speaking up about being abused or assaulted is an opportunity to challenge the normativity of sexual violence.

—Leslie Sarinana

Examples of normative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since October 7, the EU has deployed its traditional tools in the region—from economic instruments to normative discourse—but cautiously and inconsistently. —Josep Borrell Fontelles, Foreign Affairs, 27 June 2025

Public consultation analysis, parliamentary research, and legal interpretation all involve normative judgments that pure optimization approaches cannot capture. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Jencks and Silver’s normative pathway of design typologies may be thrown into reverse gear as universal formulas disaggregate into countless bespoke fixes. —Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Although this principle has normative value as an ethical aspiration, operationalizing it in the context of maintaining social order in a complex environment of competing goals is next to impossible. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French normatif, from norme norm, from Latin norma

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for normative

• formative
• heteronormative
• informative
• performative
• uninformative