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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.

See Examples For:

new normal

We should not accept this as our new normal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

In the latest State of the UK Climate report, external, the Met Office says weather that used to be classed as extreme is becoming the "new normal".

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

Volkswagen executives have repeatedly stressed the need for the company to slim down as collapsing sales in China have started to look less like a blip and more like a new normal.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

They predict it will become common, part of a new normal.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

It’s funny how quickly my family settles into a new normal.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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