traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms

• classical
• conventional
• customary
• prescriptive

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

OpenAI was created as a non-profit research lab with a for-profit arm, but has mulled restructuring into a more traditional, for-profit company that could lead to more returns for investors — a plan at which Musk has also taken aim. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024

This compares to the more traditional form of pardons, which are issued during legal proceedings, or after a conviction. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

Regional sports networks have been decimated by cord cutting, making traditional economic models unsustainable. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Take the above bow earrings, which look fairly traditional in the way, but under Wang’s eye, they are worn as ear climbers for a hipper take on the ’80s resurgent trend. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl,

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb