Showing results for new normal.

new normal

American

[noo nawr-muhl, nyoo] / ˈnu ˈnɔr məl, ˈnju /

noun

a current situation, social custom, etc., that is different from what has been experienced or done before but is expected to become usual or typical.

We are facing a new normal that includes raging forest fires and prolonged drought.

Etymology

Origin of new normal

First recorded in 1920–25

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.

The family adapted to its new normal, and Klugo and his sister enrolled in athletic programs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

This is boxing's new normal, where the lines between fantasy and reality have shifted.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

In this new normal, Melius Research analyst James West argues that supermajors like Chevron are best positioned to take advantage, as they can quickly ramp up exploration, bolstered by strong balance sheets.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Oil prices staying at $100 a barrel as the new normal could also cap the bullion’s momentum towards $5,000 a troy ounce.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

But if they had drought conditions more often than not now, didn’t that make droughts the new normal?

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023