traditional

The word “traditional” means relating to or based on tradition; customary. In plain terms, done the way it has always been done; customary rather than modern.

“Traditional” is pronounced truh-DIHSH-uh-nuhl (/tɹəˈdɪʃ.ə.nəl/ in IPA).

Here is “traditional” used in a sentence: “They served a traditional Sunday roast.”

Words with a similar meaning to “traditional” include traditionary and time-honored.

The opposite of “traditional” — its antonyms — are nontraditional, non-traditional and untraditional.

“Traditional” is an adjective.

“Traditional” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Traditional” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or based on tradition; customary.

Traditional is an adjective and describes a noun — a traditional recipe, a traditional wedding. Traditionally is an adverb and describes a verb or a whole statement, telling how or when something is usually done: traditionally, the meal is served at noon. If you can replace the word with 'usually', you need traditionally, not traditional.

It is neutral and depends on context. Traditional can be warmly positive, suggesting something trusted, authentic, and time-honoured. It can also be mildly negative, hinting that something is old-fashioned or resistant to change. The same phrase, such as 'a very traditional attitude', can sound admiring or critical depending on the speaker's tone.

The main opposites are modern and contemporary, along with new, unconventional, and progressive. Which one fits depends on the sense: a traditional design contrasts with a modern one, while a traditional outlook contrasts with a progressive or unconventional one. All of them share the idea of departing from established custom.

Traditional describes anything handed down through custom: traditional dress worn at festivals, traditional folk music, a traditional Sunday roast, or the traditional way of building with local stone. In each case the word signals that the practice follows long-standing habit rather than recent invention or personal preference.