unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al
ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
 How to pronounce unconventional (audio)
: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary
an unconventional outfit
an unconventional thinker
unconventionally adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That same headbanging energy has defined her steady, albeit unconventional, political rise. Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 By posing bold, imaginative, and sometimes unconventional questions, people can push AI beyond predictable patterns and uncover insights that would otherwise remain hidden. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 Their split spurs Alex’s unconventional midlife crisis, one without fancy muscle cars or a hot young babe on the arm. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025 And while anyone growing up in 1970s-era New York City was exposed to new types of art and style and fashion, Kravitz’s unconventional upbringing—surrounded by leading figures of the creative set—gave him a front-row seat to that cultural flowering. Jazmine Hughes, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconventional was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconventional. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unconventional

adjective
un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce unconventional (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
: not conventional : not bound by or in agreement with convention
unconventional behavior
unconventionality noun
unconventionally
-ˈvench-nə-lē
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unconventional

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