abnormal
ab-NAW-muhl
Abnormal (adj) means Different from what is usual, expected, or average; not normal. Example: “The blood test showed abnormal levels of iron.”
adj
1
Different from what is usual, expected, or average; not normal.
"The blood test showed abnormal levels of iron."
"It's abnormal for a toddler to speak in full sentences this early."
"The vet noticed an abnormal swelling on the dog's leg and ordered a scan."
How to use abnormal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot typical — outside the usual range, often in a medical or statistical sense.
Common pairings
abnormal behavior
abnormal levels
abnormally high/low
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Word forms
- Plural
- abnormals
- Comparative
- more abnormal
- Superlative
- most abnormal
Fill the gap
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The blood test showed _____ levels of iron.
Etymology
From ab- ("away from") + normal, itself from Latin norma ("rule, pattern").
Related words
Rhymes for abnormal
See all rhymes for abnormal →Frequently asked questions
What does “abnormal” mean?
The word “abnormal” means different from what is usual, expected, or average; not normal. In plain terms, not typical — outside the usual range, often in a medical or statistical sense.
How do you pronounce “abnormal”?
“Abnormal” is pronounced ab-NAW-muhl (/ˌæbˈnɔɹ.ml̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “abnormal” in a sentence?
Here is “abnormal” used in a sentence: “The blood test showed abnormal levels of iron.”
What part of speech is “abnormal”?
“Abnormal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “abnormal” come from?
The word “abnormal” comes from Latin. From ab- ("away from") + normal, itself from Latin norma ("rule, pattern").
Is “abnormal” a common word?
“Abnormal” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between abnormal and unusual?
Abnormal describes something that deviates from what is usual, expected, or average, often implying a departure from a norm or standard. "Unusual" is broader and more neutral, while "abnormal" can carry a stronger sense of measurable deviation, especially in medical or statistical contexts.
Is it harsh to call a person "abnormal"?
In everyday conversation, describing a person as "abnormal" can sound clinical or blunt because it directly implies they differ from a norm. In medical, statistical, or scientific contexts the word is used neutrally, but outside those settings gentler alternatives are often preferred.
When is "abnormal" used instead of "abnormality"?
"Abnormal" is the adjective used to modify a noun, as in "an abnormal result" or "an abnormal reading," while "abnormality" is the noun form naming the deviation itself. Choose the adjective when describing a thing or condition, and the noun when naming the deviation as a concept.
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