nonnormally

Nonnormally is an adverb meaning in a manner that deviates from what is considered normal or normative. It is formed by prefixing non- to normally, and it signals a departure from established standards or expectations. The term is relatively rare in formal writing; more common alternatives include not normally or in a non-normative way, depending on the context.

Usage and nuance: Nonnormally tends to emphasize deviation from an agreed or expected standard rather than mere rarity. In technical or scholarly discourse, writers may prefer expressions that are clearer or more precise. In statistics, for example, many writers say non-normally distributed to indicate data do not follow a normal distribution, with non-normally and non-normatively appearing in more specialized or informal contexts.

Examples and notes: The procedure progressed nonnormally under equipment failure. The data were non-normally distributed, suggesting the need for nonparametric analysis. When referring to behavior or norms, authors might instead use non-normative to describe actions that do not conform to social or ethical standards.

Etymology and related terms: The word is built from the prefix non- plus normally, with normal derived from Latin norma meaning a standard. Related terms include normative and non-normative, as well as synonyms like abnormal and atypical. Not normally and non-normatively are common alternatives depending on the intended meaning and formality.

See also: Normal distribution, Norm, Normative, Non-normative, Not normally, Abnormal, Atypical.