What does "norm" mean?
That which is normal or typical.
Norm
/nɔːm/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which is normal or typical.
- Grammar: norm is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abstract performance metric, accepted rule, act responsibly, adapt.
- Useful contrasts: deviant result, natural phenomena in science, written statutes.
- Usage evidence: Her behaviour towards me was a departure from the norm.
How to use "norm"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "norm" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "norm" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "norm" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "norm" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "norm" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abstract performance metric" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "norm", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which is normal or typical.
"Unemployment is the norm in this part of the country."
- 2 Initialism of naturally occurring radioactive materials. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
"Radon in homes is one occurrence of NORM which may give rise to concern and action to control it, by ventilation."
- 3 a statistic describing the location of a distribution wordnet
- 4 A rule that is imposed by regulations and/or socially enforced by members of a community.
"Not eating your children is just one of those societal norms."
- 5 Initialism of nonmobile older rural male. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical wordnet
- 7 A sentence with non-descriptive meaning, such as a command, permission, or prohibition.
- 8 A function which satisfies a particular set of formal conditions, created to generalize the notion of the length of a vector. Formally, a real-valued function on a vector space, generally denoted v↦|v| or v↦‖v‖, that satisfies the following properties:; if v ne 0 then ‖v‖ ne 0;
- 9 A function which satisfies a particular set of formal conditions, created to generalize the notion of the length of a vector. Formally, a real-valued function on a vector space, generally denoted v↦|v| or v↦‖v‖, that satisfies the following properties:; given a scalar k, ‖kv‖=|k|·‖v‖, where |k| is the absolute value of k;
- 10 A function which satisfies a particular set of formal conditions, created to generalize the notion of the length of a vector. Formally, a real-valued function on a vector space, generally denoted v↦|v| or v↦‖v‖, that satisfies the following properties:; given two vectors v,w, ‖v+w‖<‖v‖+‖w‖ (the triangle inequality).
- 11 Any of several generalizations of the above: a field norm, ideal norm, etc.
- 12 Any of several generalizations of the above: a field norm, ideal norm, etc.; An element of the image of some (generalized) norm, the element then said to be from the norm in question, or from the structure which gave rise to the norm.
"A quaternion algebra (a,b) over ksplits if and only if b is a norm from the field extension k(#92;sqrt#123;a#125;)#47;k, i.e. if and only if there is some x in k(#92;sqrt#123;a#125;) which has field norm exactly equal to b."
- 13 A high level of performance in a chess tournament, several of which are required for a player to receive a title.
Verb
- 1 To endow (a vector space, etc.) with a norm.
Proper Noun
- 1 A diminutive of the male given name Norman.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Her behaviour towards me was a departure from the norm."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "norm"?
Common synonyms include: abstract performance metric, accepted rule, act responsibly, adapt, adjust, aesthetic standard.
How do you use "norm" in a sentence?
Her behaviour towards me was a departure from the norm.
How do you pronounce "norm"?
Pronounced /nɔːm/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin norma (“a carpenter's square, a rule, a pattern, a precept”). Doublet of norma.
Etymology 2
Back-formation from normed.