norms

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Shared rules or expectations about how people in a group should behave.

   Grammar: Always plural in this sense: social norms, cultural norms. The singular 'norm' is rare here.

   Patterns

   • social norms
   • cultural norms
   • norms of behavior
   • conform to norms

   Every culture has its own social norms about greeting strangers.

   Teenagers often break norms to show they are independent.

   The study looked at how norms change when a group grows larger.

2. 2nounpluraltechnical

   Usual or standard levels of performance, behavior, or health in a group.

   Grammar: Often used in testing and medicine: 'within normal norms' or 'above the norms for this age'.

   Patterns

   • within the norms
   • above/below the norms
   • norms for a group

   Her test scores were well above the norms for her age group.

   The company's safety record is within accepted norms.

Word forms

Common combinations

social norms

Social norms about dress vary widely around the world.

cultural norms

Cultural norms can make direct eye contact polite or rude.

conform to norms

Employees are expected to conform to the norms of the workplace.

challenge norms

Her art challenges the norms of the art world.

established norms

The new manager quickly learned the established norms of the office.

Synonyms and how they differ

standards

Standards are often written or official; norms are usually unwritten and learned from others.

conventions

Conventions are accepted ways of doing things, often in art or social life; norms is broader and more about behavior.

customs

Customs are traditional practices passed down over time; norms can be newer and less formal.

Opposites

Word family

norm noun

A standard or usual pattern; the singular form.

normal adjective

Usual, typical, or expected.

normative adjective

Describing what is considered correct or ideal, not just what is usual.

Commonly confused: norms or norm?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “norms”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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