nontraditional
adjective
non·tra·di·tion·al
ˌnän-trə-ˈdish-nəl 
-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl
: not following or conforming to tradition : not adhering to past practices or conventions : not traditional
a nontraditional family
nontraditional students
nontraditional menu items
Many use nontraditional teaching techniques, and they deliberately draw their students from beyond traditional neighborhood boundaries …—
Thomas Toch
Thomas Toch
nontraditionally
adverb
… to learn how to build and sell cars nontraditionally …
—Michael Schrage
Michael Schrage
Examples of nontraditional in a Sentence
a nontraditional couple who are planning a very unconventional wedding
Recent Examples on the Web
Noah Nelson, a professor at the California Institute of the Arts and founder of immersive arts publication No Proscenium, said Actors’ Equity’s recognition of the Basement’s workers is a step in the right direction as the union welcomes more nontraditional units.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The district will use nontraditional instruction.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
The Market by the Meat Cellar was noted for, as its name suggests, cuts of mean from Premier Meat Company and its nontraditional format that combined a butchery, cheese shop, culinary boutique and a full-service steakhouse all in one spot.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
The internationally famous doughnut shop, which is known not only for its bold and unconventional creations but also for hosting nontraditional wedding ceremonies, has opened in Wynwood, with the flavors that have transformed it from a cult favorite to a megahit across the country.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
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Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The district will use nontraditional instruction.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
The Market by the Meat Cellar was noted for, as its name suggests, cuts of mean from Premier Meat Company and its nontraditional format that combined a butchery, cheese shop, culinary boutique and a full-service steakhouse all in one spot.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
The internationally famous doughnut shop, which is known not only for its bold and unconventional creations but also for hosting nontraditional wedding ceremonies, has opened in Wynwood, with the flavors that have transformed it from a cult favorite to a megahit across the country.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nontraditional
Cite this Entry
“Nontraditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nontraditional. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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