unconventional

1 of 2

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

unconventionality

2 of 2

noun

un·​conventionality "+ 

: the quality or state of being unconventional

Synonyms of unconventional

Adjective

• dissident
• dissenting
• out-there

Examples of unconventional in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Two lawyers IndieWire spoke with believe that being granted an injunction could be unlikely to achieve, as the states’ case for anti-competitive harm caused by the merger is unconventional and may be difficult to prove urgency in that regard. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 July 2026

The justices were also asked about more unconventional threats, including from drones and cyber warfare. — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 14 July 2026

London menswear designer Bianca Saunders has made an unconventional move, collaborating with the multidisciplinary creative company The Midnight Club on her spring 2027 collection, Meet You Before Sunrise. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Set in 1897 in rural Australia, the film follows Davis’ Sybylla, who dreams of becoming a writer, an unconventional aspiration given her family’s poverty and societal norms. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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