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Glite Dictionary
subnormality

subnormality

9.5
A condition in which a person has lower than usual thinking ability
  • noun
  • /sʌbˌnɔːrˈmælɪti/
  • NSFW
translation icon : subnormalidad
  • The psychologist evaluated the child's performance and diagnosed her with subnormality in cognitive abilities.

Examples

  • Due to his subnormality, he required special educational support to help him learn effectively.

  • The study focused on individuals with subnormality and their access to mental health resources.

  • Sure signs of holy subnormality.

    The Balcony (1963)

Synonyms

backwardness
vssubnormality
  • Offensive
2 6.3

Being less developed than others in education, money, or social life

focuses only on low intelligence rather than broader developmental lag
abnormality
vssubnormality
  • NSFW
2 6.3

A condition in which a person's thinking and learning are much below normal

is the everyday description for lower than normal mental capacity
mental deficiency
vssubnormality
  • Offensive
1 8.4

Lower than usual ability to think and learn

is the wider medical phrase for less than normal mental ability
subnormal intelligence
vssubnormality
  • Archaic
7.9

Thinking ability that is much lower than most people's and shown by standard tests

is the general label for having less than normal mental ability
mental defectiveness
vssubnormality
  • Archaic
9.6

A condition of low ability to learn and think that starts in childhood

is the broader nontechnical term for reduced mental ability
unintelligence
vssubnormality
8.2

Low mental ability to think clearly or learn

is the formal clinical term for having below normal intellectual function

Antonyms

normality
13 3.5

A time when things are usual and happen as expected

How Intelligent

adult intelligence
  • Specialized
5.0
borderline intelligence
  • Specialized
8.0
subnormality
  • NSFW
9.5

Surface Forms

subnormality singular
subnormalities plural

Morphology

subnormality = subnormal (transparent) = sub + normal + ity

Formed by sub- + normal to make 'subnormal', then nominalized with -ity; the meaning 'state of being below normal' follows directly.

Etymology

Subnormality breaks into sub- meaning 'under' and normal meaning 'usual' or 'average', like submarine which goes 'under' the sea. So subnormality means being 'below' the usual level of mental ability.