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

Golf Wand, founded by artist Tyler, the Creator, is known for bold colors and unconventional fashion. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

The Cravings cookbook author, who shares four children — Luna Simone, 9, Miles Theodore, 7, Esti Maxine, 2½, and Wren Alexander, 2 — with her husband John Legend, caught up with PEOPLE exclusively before Thanksgiving and shared her family's slightly unconventional holiday meal. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

There are a few unconventional pan shapes out there that are surprisingly versatile, one of them being this ragu pan from All-Clad. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Nov. 2025

But there would be substantial push back from unconventional forces, says Jeremy McDermott, co-director of Insight Crime, which analyzes organized crime in Latin America. —NPR, 27 Nov. 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