nontraditional

adjective

non·​tra·​di·​tion·​al ˌnän-trə-ˈdish-nəl 

-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl

: not following or conforming to tradition : not adhering to past practices or conventions : not traditional

a nontraditional family

nontraditional students

nontraditional menu items

Many use nontraditional teaching techniques, and they deliberately draw their students from beyond traditional neighborhood boundaries …

—Thomas Toch

nontraditionally adverb

… to learn how to build and sell cars nontraditionally …

—Michael Schrage

Synonyms

• broad-minded
• liberal
• nonconventional
• nonorthodox
• open-minded
• progressive
• radical
• unconventional
• unorthodox

Examples of nontraditional in a Sentence

a nontraditional couple who are planning a very unconventional wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

Others pointed out that nontraditional leaders have been finding themselves at the helm of major universities, giving University of Miami as an example. —Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025

The 5-foot-6 senior scored 43 points, grabbed 10 points and stole 15 passes to clinch a nontraditional triple double. —Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

If someone isn’t flustered by [nontraditional interview questions] and can have really strategic and thoughtful conversations ... —Megan Sauer, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025

Catch up fast: The program offers nontraditional classes, generally taught by community members, for free or minimal fees in the afternoons, evenings or weekends. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nontraditional

• nontraditional family
• nontraditional student