traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms of traditional

• customary
• conventional
• classical
• usual
• historical

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

The continuing changeover in trash cans at Disney World parks – from the flattop traditional ones to new curved compactors – may have prompted alternatives. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Varadarajan says the awake-surgery approach won't replace traditional anesthesia for most patients. — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Politicians don’t control the conversation, or the attention economy, and neither do the traditional outlets that used to herd this stuff. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The neighborhood/area Low-key and residential, dotted with independent businesses—including workshops still turning out traditional brushes, fans, and delicate woodwork. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Rhymes for traditional

• additional
• conditional
• nutritional
• positional
• transitional
• volitional
• compositional
• definitional
• depositional
• dispositional
• intuitional
• nontraditional

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl, 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb