normalcy

American  

[nawr-muhl-see] / ˈnɔr məl si /

noun

• normalcies
  plural

1. the quality or condition of being normal, as the general economic, political, and social conditions of a nation; normality.

   After months of living in a state of tension, all yearned for a return to normalcy.

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normalcy Cultural  

1. A word used by President Warren Harding to describe the calm political and social order to which he wished to return the United States after the idealism and commotion of the presidency of Woodrow Wilson.

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Discover More

Normalcy has been used as a general term for the political climate in the United States in the early 1920s.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• normalcies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of normalcy

First recorded in 1855–60; normal + -cy

Compare meaning

How does normalcy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• normalcy vs. normality

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

normalcy normalcies

“The government of Spain is fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta,” said Sánchez, adding that his government was working with Moroccan authorities to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

Because these stories have to dramatize a search for normalcy, its leads tend to be awkward in ways that strain credulity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

"This state of emergency is not intended to take away normalcy, but to restore it."

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026

Our expectations of normalcy were pummeled into submission long ago.

From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026

He stands at his spot at the turnstiles, counting down the minutes until Disneyland opens up again, marking the first official day of normalcy.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

It was little enough to ask for—a return to old values, old relationships, the normalcies of the backwash instead of the freneticisms of the lime-light.

From The First One by H. R. van Dongen

Related Words

• normality
• ordinariness
• uniformity