nontypical

Nontypical is an adjective meaning not typical or not conforming to the usual pattern. It is formed from the prefix non- plus typical, with typical deriving from Greek typikos, meaning model or pattern. The term is used across general language and specialized fields to describe deviations from ordinary expectations without asserting abnormality.

In medical, psychological, and social contexts, nontypical describes features or presentations that do not match the standard profile for a condition, developmental stage, or population. For example, a patient may exhibit a nontypical symptom cluster, or a child may show nontypical language development relative to age peers. In everyday speech, people might refer to nontypical weather or a nontypical reaction to a situation. In some cases, nontypical functions as a neutral descriptor, whereas atypical can carry a stronger implication of irregularity or need for investigation; some contexts treat the terms as overlapping but not identical.

Spelling varies by style guide and region; you may also encounter nontypical or non-typical, though nontypical is common in many contexts. In formal writing, it is advisable to define the term when precision matters, especially in scientific or clinical documents. Overall, nontypical serves as a cautious, nonjudgmental way to indicate deviation from a conventional pattern, leaving room for normal variation or uncertainty.