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

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

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