conventional wisdom

noun

: the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter

Examples of conventional wisdom in a Sentence

Conventional wisdom in Hollywood says that a movie can't succeed unless it stars a famous actor or actress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prior to the release of the Kobe Bryant’s Nike Kobe 4 in 2008, conventional wisdom held that high-tops were necessary in basketball in order to adequately support the ankles. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

The august speakers included an Oxford don, a Harvard strategy professor, a New York Times reporter, and … me, the lone representative for the young and technologically adept, unencumbered by conventional wisdom. — Jeff Degraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Among investors, even some of the world’s most successful contrarians—who make their fortunes betting against conventional wisdom—are embracing the idea that AI could yield bigger benefits more rapidly than any past technological advance. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Unique cases like Rachel show that Mother Nature can always go against conventional wisdom, and, given enough time and the right conditions, potentially destructive things can happen. — Nicholas Grondin, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conventional wisdom

• unwisdom