the norm

noun
UK: /ðə nɔːm/
US: /ðə nɔːrm/

  1. The usual or expected standard or behavior.

    1. It's the norm to tip waiters in this country, about 15 percent.
    2. In the past, it was the norm for women to stay at home and raise children.

  2. A principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior.

    1. Wearing a suit to the office is still the norm in many formal companies.
    2. Despite the increasing acceptance of tattoos, they are still not the norm in professional settings.

Synonyms

standard convention custom rule practice tradition

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "the norm" in English means: The usual or expected standard or behavior., A principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior..

The phonetic transcription of "the norm" is /ðə nɔːm/ in British English and /ðə nɔːrm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "the norm": standard, convention, custom, rule, practice, tradition.

Example usage of "the norm": "It's the norm to tip waiters in this country, about 15 percent.". More examples on the page.