unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary

an unconventional outfit

an unconventional thinker

unconventionality

ˌən-kən-ˌven(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

unconventionally adverb

Synonyms of unconventional

• dissident
• dissenting
• out-there

Examples of unconventional in a Sentence

Her lifestyle is rather unconventional.

the Shakers acquired their name because of their unconventional practice of dancing with shaking movements during worship

Recent Examples on the Web

Phones experiment with form CES continues to be a showcase for unconventional smartphones. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026

Bargaining capital also arises through unconventional alignments of medium-size powers, each with their distinctive niches. —Boris Babic, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2026

Her parents supported her unconventional path, having built their own successful careers without formal college education despite traditionally valuing it for their daughters. —Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026

Bang’s unconventional approach was inspired by an encounter with a medley of 47 different English translations of the Inferno’s famous first three lines assembled by the poet Caroline Bergvall. —Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unconventional

• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unintentional
• attentional
• conventional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• intentional
• multidimensional
• unidimensional

Kids Definition

unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: not conventional : not bound by or in agreement with convention

unconventional behavior

unconventionality

-ˌven-chə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

unconventionally

-ˈvench-nə-lē, 

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb