conventional

adjective

con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈvench-nəl 

-ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl

1

: formed by agreement or compact

2

a

: according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention

conventional spelling

conventional morality

b

: lacking originality or individuality : trite

Most of her books are conventional detective stories.

c(1)

: ordinary, commonplace

conventional medications

(2)

: nonnuclear sense 1

conventional warfare

3

a

: according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms

b

: of traditional design

4

: of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting

conventionalism

kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˈven(t)-shə-

noun

conventionalist

kən-ˈvench-nə-list 

-ˈven(t)-shə-

noun or adjective

conventionalization

kən-ˌvench-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌven(t)-shə-nə-

noun

conventionalize

kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈven(t)-shə-nə-

transitive verb

conventionally adverb

Synonyms

• current
• customary
• going
• popular
• prevailing
• prevalent
• standard
• stock
• usual

Choose the Right Synonym for conventional

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms.

ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies

a ceremonial offering

, ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report

the headmaster's formal manner

conventional implies accord with general custom and usage

conventional courtesy

and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional fiction

Examples of conventional in a Sentence

The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds.

While microwaves heat up food more quickly, most food tastes better when it is cooked in a conventional oven.

Most of her books are conventional detective stories.

His views on dating are more conventional than those of some of his friends.

Recent Examples on the Web

There was no conventional way to insert the centre-forward Arsenal had been so painfully lacking in the first 69 minutes of the match. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

These are typically more expensive than conventional eggs even absent an outbreak of bird flu. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025

But a truly effective Iron Dome system is hard to imagine without a laser component, given the high-speed nature and possibilities of being overwhelmed and running out of conventional air defense missiles. —James Stavridis, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025

Yet the risk of nuclear weapons today is less about surprise attacks than about an escalation of conventional war, says Scott Sagan, co-director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see convention

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing conventional

• anti-conventional
• conventional medicine
• conventional wisdom

Kids Definition

conventional

adjective

con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈvench-nəl 

-ˈven-chən-ᵊl

: following, agreeing with, or based on convention

conventional people

conventional remarks

a conventional detective story

conventionally

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

conventional

adjective

con·​ven·​tion·​al kən-ˈven-chə-nəl 

1

: based on, settled by, or formed by agreement : contractual compare judicial sense 2, legal sense 2c

2

: of, like, or relating to a convention or public meeting