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

Public school enrollment declines The Catholic school growth comes at a time when enrollment in traditional public schools in Miami-Dade County has been in steady decline over the past two decades. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Beyond San Lucas, the gulf offers several other island possibilities, including Isla Venado with its traditional fishing village and tranquil, accessible beaches. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026

Using gestures and swipes on a traditional slab-style phone always felt cramped and imprecise when trying to pull off quick maneuvers. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

For caregivers who need to make dietary modifications to traditional, non-Western cuisines, resources such as Oldways, a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization, can provide global culinary examples that meet specific nutritional needs. — Minakshi Raj, The Conversation, 24 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