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
These pivotal memories of Clark and Floyd’s buddy romance amount to another darkly comic portrait of a nontoxic male friendship — complete with nontraditional definitions of manhood that place meaningful friendships over monolithic strength — all built on a foundation of lies and insecurities.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
In addition to mozzarella (salty, springy) there is a very nontraditional layer of Swiss cheese, lending a gently savory note.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Spencer County Schools will operate under a nontraditional instruction day, administrators said online.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
This nontraditional version — mostly egg, cornstarch and potato that’s been half grated and half cut into fine matchsticks — is crisp on the outside and tender-chewy on the inside.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
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Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
In addition to mozzarella (salty, springy) there is a very nontraditional layer of Swiss cheese, lending a gently savory note.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Spencer County Schools will operate under a nontraditional instruction day, administrators said online.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
This nontraditional version — mostly egg, cornstarch and potato that’s been half grated and half cut into fine matchsticks — is crisp on the outside and tender-chewy on the inside.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 2026.
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