normative

adjective

nor·​ma·​tive ˈnȯr-mə-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or determining norms or standards

normative tests

2

: conforming to or based on norms

normative behavior

normative judgments

3

: prescribing (see prescribe sense 1) norms

normative rules of ethics

normative grammar

normatively adverb

normativeness noun

Thus the normativeness of truth is preserved, along with its transcendence of what is presently assertible …

—Colin McGinn

normativity

ˌnȯr-mə-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

plural normativities

In our world of shifting gender normativity and embrace of non-traditional expression, the beauty world is reaching out to men—both with products that fit into masculine grooming routines, and ones that break all barriers.

—Samuel Hine

… notes that speaking up about being abused or assaulted is an opportunity to challenge the normativity of sexual violence.

—Leslie Sarinana

Examples of normative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The discipline of art history today is far more inclusive, more cognizant of social history, and less prone to normative aesthetic judgments—changes Svetlana Alpers helped bring about. —The New York Review of Books, 29 Nov. 2024

Despite the fact that giving cash as a present is not only normative but preferred in other countries like Korea and Japan, in the US and other Western cultures, the exchange is sometimes seen as gauche. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024

There are also normative arguments for the United States to prioritize the G-20. —Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

First, the approach is normative, based on modelers’ opinions about how much to weight benefits across generations. —James Broughel, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French normatif, from norme norm, from Latin norma

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1