subnormal

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌsʌbˈnɔːr.məl/ UK /ˌsʌbˈnɔː.məl/ See IPA manual

Freq #80321

Meanings

1

adj
below the usual, expected, or average level

The test showed subnormal activity in one part of the system.
2

noun
dated and offensive: a person formerly classified as having below-average intelligence

Modern clinical language avoids using subnormal as a label for a person.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · below the usual, expected,... below normalabnormally low

Opposites

normalabove average

Word family

Derived forms subnormality

Related forms normaldenormal

Etymology

Formed from sub-, 'below,' and normal. Its general adjective sense remains technical, but its former use as a noun for a person is now dated and offensive.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

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