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

With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism. —Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026

The idea refers to non-normative spaces in which a juxtaposition of scenes and stories allows the joining-together of divergent temporalities and locations in a way that defies patriarchal and authoritarian regulations of social and political topoi. —Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

The locker room, once a place for casual and normative nudity, had quietly become a place where modesty was expected. —Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

The production draws on a long history of curiosity amusements in which people looked to be entertained by viewing others with unusual or non-normative bodies, especially in nineteenth-century Western circus and dime museums. —JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 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