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
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
Just over 68% of kids in the system were White, though Black kids on average spent more time in nontraditional placements than their peers.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
The unionization marks Actors’ Equity’s expansion beyond traditional theater into immersive entertainment, with ongoing organizing at other nontraditional live performance venues.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
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The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Just over 68% of kids in the system were White, though Black kids on average spent more time in nontraditional placements than their peers.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
The unionization marks Actors’ Equity’s expansion beyond traditional theater into immersive entertainment, with ongoing organizing at other nontraditional live performance venues.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for nontraditional
Cite this Entry
“Nontraditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nontraditional. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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