CS Knowledge Base

From sub- + normal.

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subnormal (comparative more subnormal, superlative most subnormal)

1. Less than normal.

   Antonym: supernormal

   Near-synonym: below average

   His intelligence was considered subnormal, but as a musician he was a genius.

2. (computing theory) denormal
   • 2007, Ward Cheney, David Kincaid, Numerical mathematics and computing, page 704:

     Subnormal numbers cannot be normalized because this would result in an exponent that does not fit into the exponent field.

3. (derogatory, offensive) idiot, stupid.

subnormal (plural subnormals)

1. A person whose abilities are less than normal.

   the IQ scores of mental subnormals

2. (geometry) That part of the axis of a curved line which is intercepted between the ordinate and the normal.^[1]
3. (computing theory) Synonym of denormal.

subnormal (not comparable)

1. subnormal, less or lower than normal

From sub- +‎ normal.

subnormal m or n (feminine singular subnormală, masculine plural subnormali, feminine/neuter plural subnormale)

1. subnormal

From sub- + normal.

• IPA^(key): /subnoɾˈmal/ [suβ̞.noɾˈmal]
• Rhymes: -al
• Syllabification: sub‧nor‧mal

subnormal m or f by sense (plural subnormales)

1. moron, imbecile

   Synonyms: retrasado, imbécil

subnormal m or f (masculine and feminine plural subnormales)

1. (of a person, offensive) subnormal, moronic, stupid

   Synonym: imbécil

• “subnormal”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025