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unconventional

adjective
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un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al | \ ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl, -ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl How to pronounce unconventional (audio) \

Definition of unconventional

: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary an unconventional outfit an unconventional thinker
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Other Words from unconventional

unconventionality \ ˌən-​kən-​ˌven(t)-​shə-​ˈna-​lə-​tē How to pronounce unconventionality (audio) \ noun
unconventionally adverb

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 But Tucker admits time is running short with an unconventional preseason camp. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Mel Tucker still getting to know his Michigan State team, but pivot to Rutgers 'coming soon'," 8 Oct. 2020 Each song will be recorded outside in some unconventional performance spaces. — courant.com, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 8 Oct. 2020 Trump's battle with COVID-19, which triggered a coronavirus19 outbreak at the White House in recent days, prompted the Commission on Presidential Debates to change what was already an unconventional debate series due to the ongoing pandemic. — Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY, "'We can and will have a respectful exchange': Harris, Pence wave to crowd, sit behind plexiglass to begin vice presidential debate," 8 Oct. 2020 So do the dreamers, dropouts and unconventional sorts who have made this outpost their home. — Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, "Shipwrecked on Little Potato Slough," 8 Oct. 2020 In what quickly turned into an unconventional offseason for everyone, James put that mistake far behind him. — Jon Blau, The Indianapolis Star, "Sampson James on entering transfer portal: 'Definitely a mistake' as he reaffirms IU football is home," 6 Oct. 2020 Myers explained the unconventional postseason run-ins. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Season stokes fire for Padres-Dodgers on eve of first postseason meeting," 5 Oct. 2020 McCarthy and his staff deserved some slack for unconventional circumstances. — Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, "The Cowboys' defense has identity issues, and they start with a coaching staff that’s running out of excuses," 5 Oct. 2020 Palantir Technologies, the secretive data company best known for taking on controversial work for the US government, and Asana, which makes workplace software, both made their Wall Street debuts on Wednesday using unconventional direct listings. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "This could be the worst day of job losses in aviation history," 1 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unconventional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of unconventional

1835, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for unconventional

Time Traveler

The first known use of unconventional was in 1835

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Last Updated

15 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconventional. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for unconventional

unconventional

adjective
How to pronounce unconventional (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of unconventional

: very different from the things that are used or accepted by most people : not traditional or usual : not conventional

See the full definition for unconventional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on unconventional

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unconventional

Nglish: Translation of unconventional for Spanish Speakers

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