Skip to the word

Added 30 September 2026

abnormal

/ˌæbˈnɔː.məl/ adjective

In Latin: abnormis First recorded: 1835 Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about abnormal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Not conforming to rule or system; deviating from the usual or normal type. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
Of or pertaining to that which is irregular, in particular, behaviour that deviates from norms of social propriety or accepted standards of mental health.

noun

A person or object that is not normal.

Origin

From ab- + normal. First attested in 1835, replacing the earlier anormal and even earlier abnormous, from Latin abnormis (“departing from normal”), from either ab- (“away from”) + norma (“rule, norm”), or Ancient Greek ἀνώμαλος (anṓmalos).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word