Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something normal, standard, or regular; to cause something to conform to a norm, standard, or typical condition.
   • To bring something to a normal or standard state, especially after a period of disruption or abnormality.
   • To adjust or scale data so that it fits a specific standard range or distribution.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become normal; to return to a normal or standard state or condition.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (to make normal):

  • The two countries agreed to normalize diplomatic relations after decades of tension.
  • The therapist helped her normalize her sleep schedule.
  • In data science, we often normalize the values to a range between 0 and 1 for comparison.

• Intransitive Verb (to become normal):

  • After the initial shock, the situation began to normalize.
  • Market prices are expected to normalize by the end of the quarter.

Advanced Usage

• "to normalize relations": To restore regular, peaceful, or diplomatic relations between countries or groups after a conflict.

  • The historic treaty aimed to normalize relations between the neighboring states.

• "to normalize data": In statistics and computing, to organize data into a standard format or scale to allow for meaningful comparison or analysis.

  • Before running the algorithm, you must normalize the data to eliminate biases from different measurement units.

Variants and Related Words

• Normalization (noun): The process of making something normal or standard.

  • The normalization of trade relations boosted the economy.

• Normal (adjective): Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

  • We have returned to normal operating hours.

• Norm (noun): A standard, rule, or pattern regarded as typical.

  • Social norms vary across cultures.

Synonyms

• Standardize: To cause something to conform to a standard.
• Regularize: To make something regular or orderly.
• Stabilize: To make something stable or steady.

Antonyms

• Disrupt: To interrupt the normal course or unity of.
• Abnormalize: To make abnormal (less common).
• Destabilize: To make something unstable.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "The new normal": A phrase describing a changed state that is now accepted as standard or typical, often after a significant event.

  • Working from home became the new normal for many companies.

• "Normalize over": In mathematics and data analysis, to divide a set of values by a specific factor (like a total) to create a standard scale.

  • You can normalize the scores over the total possible points.

Verb

1. bring to a desired consistency, texture, or hardness by a process of gradually heating and cooling
   • temper glass
2. make normal or cause to conform to a norm or standard
   • normalize relations with China
   • normalize the temperature
   • normalize the spelling
3. become normal or return to its normal state
   • Let us hope that relations with this country will normalize soon