conventional

adjective

con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce conventional (audio)
-ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl
1
: formed by agreement or compact
2
a
: according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
conventional spelling
conventional morality
b
: lacking originality or individuality : trite
Most of her books are conventional detective stories.
c(1)
: ordinary, commonplace
conventional medications
(2)
: nonnuclear sense 1
conventional warfare
3
a
: according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms
b
: of traditional design
4
: of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
conventionalism noun
conventionalist
kən-ˈvench-nə-list How to pronounce conventional (audio)
-ˈven(t)-shə-
noun or adjective
conventionalization noun
conventionalize
kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce conventional (audio)
-ˈven(t)-shə-nə-
transitive verb
conventionally adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for conventional

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms.

ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies

a ceremonial offering

, ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report
the headmaster's formal manner

conventional implies accord with general custom and usage

conventional courtesy

and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional fiction

Examples of conventional in a Sentence

The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds. While microwaves heat up food more quickly, most food tastes better when it is cooked in a conventional oven. Most of her books are conventional detective stories. His views on dating are more conventional than those of some of his friends.
Recent Examples on the Web More conventional Brixton headliners Editors and The Black Keys are also booked in for shows at the 5,000-capacity venue in May, with Variety sources suggesting plenty of other big names are penciled in for later in the year. Mark Sutherland, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Until then, Kerr had worked in the conventional medical system, focused on patients who were often tethered to machines or heavily medicated. Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 According to Johns Hopkins, Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Koenig, meanwhile, decided to go for a less conventional red pin-stripe suit with a black button-down and messy bangs to tie it in. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The forgetting model did slightly worse than the conventional one, receiving a score of 85.1 compared to 86.1 on one common measure of language accuracy. Amos Zeeberg, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024 McDonnell: Both of them came up in very conventional ways: being in a girl band; trying to get into Nashville, in Taylor’s case. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 In contemporary music, Mystic Marley has emerged as a new voice, transcending conventional categories with her creativity and authenticity. Dr. Brittany Chambers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The financing package enabled Cal-Coast to scout for conventional construction financing for this stage of the project. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conventional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see convention

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conventional was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near conventional

Cite this Entry

“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventional. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

conventional

adjective
con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce conventional (audio)
-ˈven-chən-ᵊl
: following, agreeing with, or based on convention
conventional people
conventional remarks
a conventional detective story
conventionally
adverb

Legal Definition

conventional

adjective
con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈven-chə-nəl How to pronounce conventional (audio)
1
: based on, settled by, or formed by agreement : contractual compare judicial sense 2, legal sense 2c
2
: of, like, or relating to a convention or public meeting

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