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

This is thought to be due to personality being more malleable in younger age groups and amid changes to the normative tasks of adulthood; for example, transitioning to the workplace and relationship development. —Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024

The Parisienne’s static archetype seemed to embrace less normative, narrow ideals towards a wider scope of lifestyles and choices. —Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024

There are normative models about how people should behave and then there is how people actually behave. —London Business School, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

The normative assumption of Medicare policymakers has been physicians will simply increase their volumes — i.e., perform more services than patients actually need — to make up the shortfall. —Jeff Goldsmith, STAT, 17 Jan. 2024

Other researchers note that sludge content can provide environments that are ideal for normative dissociation, or putting a brain on autopilot mode. —Anna Mattson, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2024

According to Zola’s 2024 First Look Report, 83% of couples are challenging the normative expectations tied to the wedding day, from toxic diet culture to the expectation that brides will change their last name. —Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2023

In tart scenes poking at doctor consultations, psychiatric sessions and legal snafus — the institutional hoops where binary, normative strictures are most assertive — Preciado dexterously implies these gauntlets push life’s fictions. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2023

Their goal is to goal to create accessible fitness spaces for those whose bodies and identities rebel against normative definitions of beauty and health. —Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 14 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French normatif, from norme norm, from Latin norma

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1