traditional
truh-DIHSH-uh-nuhl
Traditional (adj) means relating to or based on tradition; customary. Example: “The festival ends with traditional dancing and songs from the region.”
adj
1
Relating to or based on tradition; customary.
"The festival ends with traditional dancing and songs from the region."
"They served a traditional Sunday roast."
"The wedding followed a traditional ceremony."
2
Old-fashioned; attached to established customs rather than new ways.
"Our grandfather is quite traditional and still dislikes using a mobile phone."
"The firm has a traditional approach and avoids trying new methods."
"His parents held fairly traditional views on marriage."
How to use traditional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone the way it has always been done; customary rather than modern.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
traditional values
traditional dress
traditional method
traditional music
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more traditional
- Superlative
- most traditional
Fill the gap
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The festival ends with _____ dancing and songs from the region.
Etymology
From tradition + the adjective-forming suffix -al.
Synonyms
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customary
conventional
classic
established
old-fashioned
time-honoured
orthodox
traditionary
time-honored
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for traditional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for traditional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “traditional” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “traditional”?
“Traditional” is pronounced truh-DIHSH-uh-nuhl (/tɹəˈdɪʃ.ə.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “traditional” in a sentence?
Here is “traditional” used in a sentence: “They served a traditional Sunday roast.”
What is another word for “traditional”?
Words with a similar meaning to “traditional” include traditionary and time-honored.
What is the opposite of “traditional”?
The opposite of “traditional” — its antonyms — are nontraditional, non-traditional and untraditional.
What part of speech is “traditional”?
“Traditional” is an adjective.
Is “traditional” a common word?
“Traditional” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “traditional” have?
“Traditional” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or based on tradition; customary.
What is the difference between traditional and traditionally?
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.
Is traditional a positive or negative word?
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.
What is the opposite of traditional?
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.
What is an example of traditional?
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.
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