normalcy
Americannoun
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Normalcy has been used as a general term for the political climate in the United States in the early 1920s.
Etymology
Origin of normalcy
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Explanation
In the early twentieth century, President Warren Harding popularized the word normalcy with his slogan, "Return to normalcy." Harding was referring getting back to normal life after World War I. Since then, the word has been used often to mean "normality." Normalcy is a state of being normal, usual, or expected. When something returns to a state of normalcy, it is returning to the way that it ought to be. It is another word for normality. Some people believe that normalcy should not be used because the word normality is more formally correct, but in the U.S., you'll often see normalcy used. When it comes to choosing one, take your pick. Though Harding's slogan made the word more common, it originates in the field of mathematics.
Vocabulary lists containing normalcy
This Week In Culture: March 21–27, 2020
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Words Coined or Popularized by Presidents
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Ben Zimmer's 30 Great American Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the April 7, 2026, print edition as 'Voters Still Want Normalcy'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
"Normalcy bias," meaning the belief that because things have operated in a certain way for as long as many people can remember, explains much of this error.
From Salon • May 13, 2022
It put him face to face daily with Dreadful Normalcy itself.
From New York Times • Mar. 29, 2022
Normalcy might be “another year or two” away, he added.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2021
Normalcy returned to Staples Center in Tuesday night’s game between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2020
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
