unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al

ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl

 

: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary

an unconventional outfit

an unconventional thinker

unconventionality

ˌən-kən-ˌven(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

unconventionally adverb

Synonyms

• dissentient
• dissenting
• dissident
• heretical
• heretic
• heterodox
• iconoclastic
• maverick
• nonconformist
• nonorthodox
• out-there
• unorthodox

Examples of unconventional in a Sentence

Her lifestyle is rather unconventional.

the Shakers acquired their name because of their unconventional practice of dancing with shaking movements during worship

Recent Examples on the Web

Hart may be an unconventional one, but make no mistake. —Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

That’s an unconventional set of positions for a utility player, but there’s no such thing as too much catcher depth and the Twins are short on internal first-base options after losing Carlos Santana and Alex Kirilloff. —Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

The Flip Off is the unconventional TV reunion viewers have been waiting for. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024

But as Jay had observed, the president was plagued by increasing doubts about his unconventional leadership and his ability to combat any of these problems in a way that would satisfy the public. —Russell L. Riley / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: not conventional : not bound by or in agreement with convention

unconventional behavior

unconventionality

-ˌven-chə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

unconventionally

-ˈvench-nə-lē

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb