Words / C1

ab-NORML/æbˈnɔːml/

Abnormal means different from what is usual, often in a way that should be investigated: an abnormal reading, abnormal absence. Unusual is milder and not always a fault; typical sits opposite; a quirk is a story you tell to stop looking. A night-shift spike is a rota finding, not décor.

Meaning

Different from what is usual, often in a way that signals a problem.

Examples

• “An abnormal night-shift absence rate is a rota finding, not “seasonal colour”.”
• “Unusual is milder. Atypical is the close twin. Seasonal colour is branding. A rate with a date is evidence. Open the rota; do not caption the hole.”

Good to know

Not usual; possibly a problem. Milder: unusual. Close: atypical. A spike is a finding, not colour.

Near in meaning

atypical

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