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

There is at the very least a normative case for the provision of relief, and maybe probably even enhanced relief relative to your normal unemployment insurance, targeted to where that relief is needed during economic recessions. —Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026

The normative state remains visible. —Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

Yet China, for all its economic might, has not built a security architecture or normative order that other states trust. —Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

These are not computational questions but normative ones. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026

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