traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms of traditional

• customary
• conventional
• classical
• usual
• historical

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Zoox stands out because its vehicle has no traditional driver setup at all. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Here are new and traditional recipe ideas for juicy hamburgers, taco night meals, Italian hoagies, and more to shake up your dinner plans. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

Those Colombia fans — in their traditional yellow jerseys and shirts— packed the stadium Friday. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

Residential patients will also have access to a stickball court, garden space for traditional foods, a gym and room for meditation. — Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Rhymes for traditional

• additional
• conditional
• nutritional
• positional
• transitional
• volitional
• compositional
• definitional
• depositional
• dispositional
• intuitional
• nontraditional

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl, 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb