norm

The word “norm” means what is considered typical, standard, or expected. In plain terms, what's typical or expected — the usual way things are done.

“Norm” is pronounced nawm (/nɔɹm/ in IPA).

Here is “norm” used in a sentence: “Working from home has become the norm for many companies.”

“Norm” is a noun.

The word “norm” comes from Latin. From Latin "norma," meaning a carpenter's square or rule — something used to check that things are straight and standard.

“Norm” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Norm” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: what is considered typical, standard, or expected.

A "norm" is what is considered typical, standard, or expected in a group or situation. An "average" is a specific figure calculated from a set of numbers. Something can be the norm without being the exact average, because a norm reflects what is usual or accepted rather than a precise calculation.

A "norm" is often an unwritten expectation of behaviour that a community informally enforces, while a "rule" is usually an explicit, stated requirement. Breaking a rule may bring an official penalty; breaking a norm tends to bring social disapproval instead.

A social norm is an unwritten rule of behaviour that a community or society expects and informally enforces. Everyday examples include queuing in turn, saying "please" and "thank you," or keeping your voice down in a library, behaviours no law requires but most people follow.