conventional
kuhn-VEHN-shuhnl
Conventional (adj) means following accepted customs, methods, or standards rather than anything unusual. Example: “They chose a conventional wedding with a church service and reception.”
adj
1
Following accepted customs, methods, or standards rather than anything unusual.
"They chose a conventional wedding with a church service and reception."
"His conventional approach to management rarely surprises anyone."
"Most banks still prefer conventional ways of checking a customer's identity."
2
Ordinary or unoriginal; lacking creativity.
"The film's plot felt a bit conventional and predictable."
"The restaurant's menu was safe and conventional, with nothing that surprised us."
"I wanted something different, not another conventional birthday card with flowers on it."
3
Describing weapons or warfare that do not involve nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.
"The two armies fought with conventional weapons only."
"The treaty limits nuclear arms but says nothing about conventional weapons."
"Experts compared the cost of conventional missiles with that of nuclear ones."
How to use conventional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStandard, ordinary, or done the usual way rather than anything unusual or experimental.
Common pairings
conventional wisdom
conventional methods
conventional warfare
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Word forms
- Plural
- conventionals
- Comparative
- more conventional
- Superlative
- most conventional
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They chose a _____ wedding with a church service and reception.
Etymology
Formed from convention and -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for conventional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for conventional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “conventional” mean?
The word “conventional” means following accepted customs, methods, or standards rather than anything unusual. In plain terms, standard, ordinary, or done the usual way rather than anything unusual or experimental.
How do you pronounce “conventional”?
“Conventional” is pronounced kuhn-VEHN-shuhnl (/kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “conventional” in a sentence?
Here is “conventional” used in a sentence: “They chose a conventional wedding with a church service and reception.”
What part of speech is “conventional”?
“Conventional” is an adjective.
Is “conventional” a common word?
“Conventional” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “conventional” have?
“Conventional” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: following accepted customs, methods, or standards rather than anything unusual.
What is the difference between "conventional" and "traditional"?
"Conventional" means following accepted customs, methods, or standards, while "traditional" specifically means passed down over time as part of a custom or heritage. Something conventional is simply the usual or expected way of doing things now, whereas something traditional carries a sense of history. They overlap but are not identical.
What is the difference between "conventional" and "unconventional"?
"Conventional" describes something that follows accepted customs or standards, while "unconventional" describes something that departs from them. Calling an idea unconventional suggests it is unusual or original, the opposite of ordinary.
Does "conventional" have a negative connotation?
It can. In one sense "conventional" is neutral, meaning standard or widely accepted, but in another it means ordinary or unoriginal and lacking creativity. Context decides whether it praises reliability or criticises a lack of imagination.
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