student asking question

What's the difference between "being normal" and "being ordinary"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Ordinary" and "normal" are very similar, but they have completely different nuances. "Normal" usually has a positive connotation, and when used to describe someone, it implies that there is nothing wrong or strange about someone. "Ordinary" on the other hand often has a negative connotation. When someone is "ordinary" it usually means they are plain or simple and there is nothing special about them. Ex: She's a very ordinary girl. Ex: Everyone at the school is weird, only a few people seem normal.

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