Skip to main content
above normal

above normal

12 3.4
Higher than the usual or expected level
  • adjective
translation icon : elevado
  • Now it's reported to be well above normal with market prices on the decline.
  • above normal levels
  • deviations above normal
  • above normal expectations

It is when the body's blood sugar increases above normal.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Therefore, we can assume that security costs increased above normal levels, and this increase must be included in production costs.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Rainfall through the first 14 days is running slightly above normal at 120 percent.

    Blog text (30)
  • Temperature on board reached 20 degrees above normal.

  • Storm surge is generally greater than 18 ft above normal.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Now, this metal - aluminum - is being found in massive quantities, way above normal levels, all over in rain, in soil and in snow.

  • The one exception is northern Tanzania, where rainfall is expected to be above normal during this period.

    Academic text (1997)
  • All of the subtests showed the expected percentage of students performing two standard deviations or more above normal expectations.

    Academic text (1993)
  • If the energy expenditure is above normal, a red light will shine and "The Plugger" will beep.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The winter of 2000-2001 brought above-normal snowfall to the northern regions of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The forecast predicts that temperatures will be 5 degrees above normal this week.

Synonyms

high
vsabove normal
1.0

More than usual in amount or strength

is the broader term for any amount higher than expected
above average
vsabove normal
35 3.2

Better than most people or things of the same kind

refers to higher amounts relative to expectation not only to peers
off the charts
vsabove normal
  • Informal
31 6.2

Much higher than normal in amount or level

means higher than expected but may include much milder cases
extranormal
vsabove normal
1 9.2

Much more than what is usual or expected

covers any higher amount but not necessarily extreme in degree
above par
vsabove normal
1 4.2

Better than usual in quality, performance or value

covers higher levels in general, not limited to quality measures
superhigh
vsabove normal
1 4.9

Much higher than normal in amount or level

is a general description of higher amounts without extreme intensity
up to eleven
vsabove normal
  • Informal
1 9.2

To make something as intense or dramatic as possible

is used for higher amounts but not always at absolute maximum
elevated
vsabove normal
4.6

Higher than normal in amount or level

is the general label for any amount higher than expected
supernormal
vsabove normal
6.8

Much higher than the usual level

applies broadly to amounts higher than expected but not always excessive

Antonyms

1 6.4

Lower than the normal level in amount or quality

How High

extreme
877 3.6
high
1.0
above normal
12 3.4
elevated
4.6
normal
1.0

Surface Forms

above normal positive

Morphology

above + normal

The meaning 'higher than the usual or expected level' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'above' (at a higher level) with 'normal' (typical or expected). This literal compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English adjective modification, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the phrase's meaning.

Etymology

Above normal creates a simple picture: above means higher than and normal means the usual level, like a mark that shows the usual height which something has now passed. That's why when we say something is above normal we mean it is 'higher than usual' or 'more than expected'.