nonconformist

noun

non·​con·​form·​ist ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-mist 

1

often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church

especially : one who does not conform to the Church of England

2

: a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action

nonconformist adjective often capitalized

Synonyms

• maverick
• bohemian
• eccentric

Examples of nonconformist in a Sentence

He was a nonconformist in college but now wears a three-piece suit to work every day.

They were stubborn nonconformists who chose to be arrested instead of obeying the laws.

Recent Examples on the Web

The petite hamlet is truly one of a kind: Originally intended as a resort destination in the late 19th century, Eureka Springs later became a home for hippies and nonconformists seeking rural refuge in the 1970s. —Nico Lang, Them., 21 Apr. 2025

German immigrants founded and built the club, and in later decades Nature Friends became a hub for numerous groups: some esoteric, some nonconformist and others looking for a rustic place to chill. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Invariably, memorials devoted to these two nonconformists emphasized their complicated personalities. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 3 July 2024

The uniform and the nonconformist. —Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonconformist

• conformist
• reformist
• warmest

Kids Definition

nonconformist

noun

non·​con·​form·​ist ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-məst 

1

often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church

2

: a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs

nonconformist adjective often capitalized