new normal

American

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

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.

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

Here’s the tough news: This could be the new normal for a while.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 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

In some ways, it’s become a new normal for Haitian Springfielders to anticipate the worst, and for their neighbors to fight against a government they see as threatening to rip their families apart.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

It’s been our new normal since Dad quit his day job.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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