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Synonyms

subnormal

American  
[suhb-nawr-muhl] / sʌbˈnɔr məl /

adjective

  1. below the normal; less than or inferior to the normal.

    a subnormal amount of rain.

  2. being less than average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment.


noun

  1. a subnormal person.

  2. Geometry. that part of the x-axis of a curve cut off between the ordinate and a normal.

subnormal British  
/ ˌsʌbnɔːˈmælɪtɪ, sʌbˈnɔːməl /

adjective

  1. less than the normal

  2. having a low intelligence, esp having an IQ of less than 70

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a subnormal person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of subnormal

First recorded in 1700–10; sub- + normal

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.

See Examples For:

The judge said subnormal intelligence is just one consideration in a competency decision.

From Washington Times Jul. 25, 2018

He said Evans was not "subnormal", nor schizophrenic, nor epileptic.

From BBC Dec. 17, 2017

Many trials of vitamins and minerals are performed on the population at large instead of on a subpopulation with subnormal levels of those substances. 

From Forbes Aug. 27, 2014

Then, Keynes said a depression was a "chronic condition of subnormal activity for a considerable period without any marked tendency towards recovery or towards complete collapse".

From The Guardian Feb. 24, 2013

The thermometer registered a half degree lower than his usual subnormal temperature of 96.8.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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