English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun

normalcy

NAWR-muhl-see
Quiz me More like this

Normalcy (noun) means the state of being normal; a return to usual, stable conditions. Example: “After the storm, the town slowly returned to normalcy.”

noun
1
The state of being normal; a return to usual, stable conditions.
"After the storm, the town slowly returned to normalcy."
"The company is hoping for a return to normalcy after the merger chaos."
"I’ve been consistently awed by how good designers can create normalcy out of chaos; they can clearly communicate ideas through the organizing and manipulating of words and pictures." — Jeffery Veen, The Art & Science of Web Design (2001)

How to use normalcy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA state of things being normal or back to usual — often used after a period of disruption.

Common mistake

Some style guides consider "normality" the more traditional British form, though "normalcy" is now widely accepted, especially in American English.

UK vs US

"Normality" is more common in British English; "normalcy" is more common in American English, though both are understood everywhere.

Easily confused with
normality →
Common pairings
return to normalcy a sense of normalcy
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like normalcy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
normalcies
Test yourself on “normalcy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

After the storm, the town slowly returned to _____.

Etymology

Formed from "normal" plus the suffix "-cy." Though originally used in mathematics, it became widely popular in the US after President Warren G. Harding used it in a famous 1920 speech about "a return to normalcy."

· First attested 1920

Class of 1920 normalcy joined the language around 1920.
beautician bingo capacitor doofus genome
See the full Class of 1920 →

Synonyms

View more →
normalhood normality normaldom normalness

Antonyms

abnormalcy abnormality

Related words

anomaly abnormality normalhood normality nonnormality deviancy atypicality peculiarness

Frequently asked questions

What does “normalcy” mean?
The word “normalcy” means the state of being normal; a return to usual, stable conditions. In plain terms, a state of things being normal or back to usual — often used after a period of disruption.
How do you pronounce “normalcy”?
“Normalcy” is pronounced NAWR-muhl-see (/ˈnɔɹməlsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “normalcy” in a sentence?
Here is “normalcy” used in a sentence: “After the storm, the town slowly returned to normalcy.”
What is another word for “normalcy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “normalcy” include normalhood, normality, normaldom and normalness.
What is the opposite of “normalcy”?
The opposite of “normalcy” — its antonyms — are abnormalcy and abnormality.
What part of speech is “normalcy”?
“Normalcy” is a noun.
Where does the word “normalcy” come from?
The word “normalcy” dates back to around 1920. Formed from "normal" plus the suffix "-cy." Though originally used in mathematics, it became widely popular in the US after President Warren G. Harding used it in a famous 1920 speech about "a return to normalcy.".

People also searched

anomaly abnormality normalhood normality nonnormality deviancy atypicality peculiarness