traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms of traditional

• customary
• conventional
• classical
• usual
• historical

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

The division rival 49ers, who adopted a more traditional travel strategy, walloped the Rams in Australia, 27-7. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Guests will also find two full-service restaurants (a Japanese izakaya and a French brasserie), a 3,000 square-foot spa with a traditional Middle Eastern steam bath, and a seasonal outdoor terrace for drinks and bites. — Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026

The treatment combines traditional physical and/or occupational therapy with an implantable device that helps stimulate a key nerve used in many motor functions. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Testing the force without a warning The defining feature of Sentinel Dragon was its lack of traditional preparation time. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Rhymes for traditional

• additional
• conditional
• nutritional
• positional
• transitional
• volitional
• compositional
• definitional
• depositional
• dispositional
• intuitional
• nontraditional

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl, 

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb