conventional
adjective
con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈvench-nəl 
-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
conventionally
adverb
Synonyms
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
The male mannequin had a conventional tank top and shorts combination, while the female mannequin was dressed in something that looked more like a one-piece bathing suit and appeared to be especially revealing around the pubic area.
—
Anna Gordon, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Versus the open floor plan of a standard Ioniq 5—remember, there’s no conventional transmission that requires a center tunnel—the N version adds a traditional center console with knee pads to brace drivers in corners.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2024
Which is all rather astonishing for a film with no conventional dialogue, as the creatures communicate through a language of grunts.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
According to reported influencer marketing trends, 66% of businesses reported superior returns from creator content compared to conventional digital advertising.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Like many of Phillips’s previous works, this roving collection of writings fuses the lexicon of psychotherapy with literary criticism to upend conventional ideas about common emotional experiences—among them repression, longing, and loss.
—The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The final form is a powdered texture akin to collagen that surpasses conventional protein sources in both nutrition and flavor, says Kittibanthorn, adding that the meat-mimicking substance also contains high levels of antioxidants similar to those found in berries.
—Leah Collins, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
That unit is set to keep receiving income through Virgin Money for years after the Nationwide deal closes, underscoring how some of the his most conventional deals – not loss-making SPAC firms – are now powering his empire.
—Ben Stupples, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Both of those movies are more conventional romantic comedies; here, Galitzine gets a darker edge and the space to show said darkness’ development over time.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Anna Gordon, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Versus the open floor plan of a standard Ioniq 5—remember, there’s no conventional transmission that requires a center tunnel—the N version adds a traditional center console with knee pads to brace drivers in corners.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2024
Which is all rather astonishing for a film with no conventional dialogue, as the creatures communicate through a language of grunts.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
According to reported influencer marketing trends, 66% of businesses reported superior returns from creator content compared to conventional digital advertising.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Like many of Phillips’s previous works, this roving collection of writings fuses the lexicon of psychotherapy with literary criticism to upend conventional ideas about common emotional experiences—among them repression, longing, and loss.
—The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The final form is a powdered texture akin to collagen that surpasses conventional protein sources in both nutrition and flavor, says Kittibanthorn, adding that the meat-mimicking substance also contains high levels of antioxidants similar to those found in berries.
—Leah Collins, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
That unit is set to keep receiving income through Virgin Money for years after the Nationwide deal closes, underscoring how some of the his most conventional deals – not loss-making SPAC firms – are now powering his empire.
—Ben Stupples, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Both of those movies are more conventional romantic comedies; here, Galitzine gets a darker edge and the space to show said darkness’ development over time.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near conventional
Cite this Entry
“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventional. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conventional
adjective
con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈvench-nəl
-ˈven-chən-ᵊl
: following, agreeing with, or based on convention
conventional people
conventional remarks
a conventional detective story
conventionally
adverb
-ē
Legal Definition
conventional
adjective
con·ven·tion·al
kən-ˈven-chə-nəl
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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