normally
NAW-muh-lee
Normally (adverb) means Under usual conditions; typically. Example: “Normally, I take the bus to work, but today I walked.”
adverb
1
Under usual conditions; typically.
"Normally, I take the bus to work, but today I walked."
"The shop normally closes at six on weekdays."
"My cat normally sleeps on the sofa all afternoon."
2
In the expected or usual manner.
"After the surgery, he was able to walk normally within weeks."
"The printer is working normally again after the engineer replaced a part."
"Normally I catch the early bus, but today I walked instead."
How to use normally
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually, or in the usual way.
Common pairings
normally speaking
function normally
behave normally
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more normally
- Superlative
- most normally
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, I take the bus to work, but today I walked.
Etymology
From "normal" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
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commonly
frequently
ordinarily
habitually
routinely
as a matter of course
as a rule
generally
in general
regularly
typically
unexceptionally
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for normally
See all rhymes for normally →Frequently asked questions
What does “normally” mean?
The word “normally” means under usual conditions; typically. In plain terms, usually, or in the usual way.
How do you pronounce “normally”?
“Normally” is pronounced NAW-muh-lee (/ˈnɔɹ.mə.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “normally” in a sentence?
Here is “normally” used in a sentence: “Normally, I take the bus to work, but today I walked.”
What is another word for “normally”?
Words with a similar meaning to “normally” include frequently, ordinarily, habitually, routinely, as a matter of course and as a rule.
What is the opposite of “normally”?
The opposite of “normally” — its antonyms — are atypically, exceptionally, irregularly and unusually.
What part of speech is “normally”?
“Normally” is an adverb.
Is “normally” a common word?
“Normally” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “normally” have?
“Normally” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: under usual conditions; typically.
What is the difference between 'normally' and 'usually'?
They overlap heavily and are often interchangeable. 'Usually' simply means most of the time, based on frequency. 'Normally' adds the sense of what happens under normal or standard conditions, implying a default state that unusual circumstances can disrupt. In everyday speech, though, the difference is very slight.
What is an example of 'normally' in a sentence?
'I normally leave for work at eight, but today I left early.' Here 'normally' describes the usual pattern and quietly contrasts it with an exception. It signals what typically happens under ordinary conditions, setting up the departure from routine that follows in the sentence.
Is 'normally' formal or informal?
It is neutral and fits almost any register. You can use it comfortably in casual conversation, everyday writing, and fairly formal contexts alike. In very formal or technical writing, some prefer 'typically' or 'ordinarily', but 'normally' is widely accepted and rarely feels out of place.
What is the opposite of 'normally'?
The opposite is words like 'abnormally', 'unusually', or 'exceptionally', which describe departures from the usual. 'Rarely' also contrasts with it on frequency. Which fits best depends on meaning: 'unusually' for a strange manner, 'rarely' for how often something happens.
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