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

conventionalism

kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˈven(t)-shə-

noun

conventionalist

kən-ˈvench-nə-list 

-ˈven(t)-shə-

noun or adjective

conventionalization

kən-ˌvench-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌven(t)-shə-nə-

noun

conventionalize

kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈven(t)-shə-nə-

transitive verb

conventionally adverb

Synonyms

• current
• customary
• going
• popular
• prevailing
• prevalent
• standard
• stock
• usual

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

In one new academic paper, an AI model was able to predict whether a cancer patient is at risk of developing wasting disease better than conventional methods. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Such an admission not only upsets the conventional framing of the war, but strikes at the very heart of the Vietnamese Communist Party’s own legitimacy to govern the country. — Made By History, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

The seven inductees were whittled from a list of 14 announced earlier this year and spotlight a more conventional rock lineup than in previous years, with the exception of Atlanta hip-hop innovators Outkast. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

Carbon monoxide radiates light in longer wavelengths that can be detected by radio observatories on Earth’s surface, a more conventional technique for identifying star-forming clouds. —Katrina Miller, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see convention

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing conventional

• anti-conventional
• conventional medicine
• conventional wisdom

Rhymes for conventional

• attentional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• intentional
• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unconventional
• unintentional
• multidimensional
• unidimensional

Kids 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

-ē

adverb

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