abnormal

/æb'nɔ:məl/

Thân thiện

The scientist observed an abnormal growth pattern in the plant sample.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not normal; not typical, usual, or regular; not conforming to a norm or standard. This is the core meaning, describing something that deviates from what is considered average, expected, or standard.
   • Departing from the normal in physical or mental characteristics. Used specifically to describe conditions, development, or behavior that is atypical.
   • Much greater than the normal. Used to describe an amount, degree, or intensity that is unusually high.

Usage Examples

• Describing atypical conditions or amounts:
  • The machine made an abnormal noise before it stopped.
  • We had abnormal amounts of rain this summer, causing floods.
  • The company reported abnormal profits this quarter.
• Describing atypical development or behavior:
  • An abnormal growth was detected during the scan.
  • The psychologist noted the patient's abnormal reaction to stress.
  • In some contexts, an intense focus can be seen as an abnormal interest.

Advanced Usage

• In statistics and science: "Abnormal" often refers to data points or results that fall outside a defined range of normal variation. It is a neutral descriptive term in these fields.
  • The lab results showed several abnormal values that require further investigation.
• In medicine: Used clinically to describe signs, symptoms, or test results that deviate from a healthy baseline.
  • The ECG reading was abnormal.
• Caution in usage: When describing people, especially regarding intelligence or development, the term can be considered outdated or offensive. More specific and neutral terms (e.g., "atypical development," "neurodivergent") are often preferred in modern contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Abnormality (noun): The state or quality of being abnormal; an abnormal feature or occurrence.
  • The scan revealed a minor abnormality.
• Abnormally (adverb): In an abnormal manner.
  • The weather has been abnormally warm for December.

Synonyms

• Atypical: Not representative of a type, group, or class.
• Unusual: Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.
• Anomalous: Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
• Irregular: Not even or balanced in shape or arrangement; contrary to the rules or to that which is normal or established.
• Exceptional: Unusual; not typical.

Antonyms

• Normal: Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
• Typical: Having the distinctive qualities of a particular type of person or thing.
• Regular: Arranged in or constituting a constant or definite pattern, especially with the same space between individual instances.
• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Abnormal psychology: The branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which may be understood as indicative of a mental disorder.
• Abnormal condition: A state that deviates from the norm.
• Abnormal finding: A result, especially in a medical test, that is outside the expected range.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. much greater than the normal
   • abnormal profits
   • abnormal ambition
2. departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development
   • they were heartbroken when they learned their child was abnormal
   • an abnormal personality
3. not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm
   • abnormal powers of concentration
   • abnormal amounts of rain
   • abnormal circumstances
   • an abnormal interest in food

Từ đồng nghĩa

• unnatural