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

Zoox has put a lot of effort into making its vehicle have this unconventional design. —Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Truly a fascinating human being of rare talent with a huge, unconventional and powerful intellect. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026

The mother of two chose the unconventional route during her wedding to Andrea Dotti. —Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026

Elsewhere, Connor Storrie flexed an IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar with a dizzying four-register display, Jack O’Connell rocked a TAG Heuer Carrera Astronomer with an unconventional moon phase complication, and Will Smith sported an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph dripping in rose gold. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 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