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

Alton Brown's unconventional approach involves mixing mayonnaise into raw eggs before cooking, Chowhound reported. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026

After a public scandal upends her life, a single mother moves to a North Carolina beach town with her daughter Iris and joins an unconventional household of women raising their children together. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026

Santa Familia, Cayo District, Belize The Cayo District is a charming and unconventional part of Belize that immediately feels warm and inviting. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Kate Hudson pulled off an unconventional styling trick for her latest London outing. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 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