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

• 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

And when goals did go in, the unconventional trajectory of the Jabulani was oddly fascinating. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025

The hero’s journey on this show is achieving their unconventional American dream. —Giana Levy, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025

Casting director Shaheen Baig and her team had to look in unconventional places and spread the word high and low, and over all sorts of Instagram stories in order to find Owen Cooper for Jamie, Amelie Pease for Lisa, Fatima Bojang for Jade, and others. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025

The unconventional choice hints at the director’s disinterest in a tidy search-and-rescue, and the relief that comes with it. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025

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