abnormal

Everyday

1. Not normal or not usual, different from what is expected, often in a way that is worrying. tree →
2. (science, medicine) Outside the healthy or typical range, like an abnormal heartbeat or an abnormal test result. tree →

In the lessons

Used in science and health to say something does not fit the usual pattern: abnormal weather, abnormal growth, abnormal results. In stories it warns the reader that something is wrong or strange. In maths and data it can describe a value far from the rest (an outlier). Phrases: abnormal behaviour, abnormally high, abnormally cold, nothing abnormal.

Examples

• It was abnormal for the dog to be so quiet. tree →
• The doctor said the X-ray showed nothing abnormal. tree →
• We had abnormally warm weather for winter. tree →
• An abnormal heartbeat can be a sign of illness. tree →
• One abnormal reading was much bigger than all the others. tree →
• The plant had abnormal yellow spots on its leaves. tree →
• Mum thought the noise from the car was abnormal and took it to the garage. tree →

Note

Opposite: normal. The noun is abnormality (abnormalities). Stronger and more serious than unusual; it often hints at a problem. Do not confuse with "subnormal" (below normal) or "paranormal" (ghostly). In data, an abnormal value may need checking before you find an average.