Search Dictionary
Definition of normativity

normativity

/ˌnɔːr.məˈtɪv.ə.ti/
nor · ma · tiv · i · ty

Adverb:normatively
•
Plural:normativities
•
Adjective:normative
JUMP TO:

normativity Lexical Profile

normativity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or quality of being normative; the phenomenon of establishing prescriptive standards, rules, or ideals of behavior within a society or group.

Example

"The sociologist's research focused on the normativity of traditional gender roles and how they influence modern career choices."


2

In philosophy and ethics, the phenomenon by which certain actions, judgments, or states of affairs are designated as what ought to be, distinguishing evaluative claims from purely factual, descriptive claims.

Example

"Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy is fundamentally concerned with the nature of normativity and the origins of moral obligation."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for normativity
Antonyms
View all antonyms for normativity

Word Nuance & Usage

In academic contexts (especially philosophy and sociology), normativity is frequently contrasted with descriptivity; it concerns how things 'ought' to be rather than how they actually are.

• Rhymes for normativity

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'norma' (carpenter's square, rule, pattern) combined with the suffixes '-ative' and '-ity'. The concept gained significant traction in 20th-century philosophy and social sciences to describe prescriptive systems.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Normativity. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/normativity
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.