Looking up...
conventional
/kənˈvɛnʃənəl/
traditional or commonly accepted
She prefers conventional medicine over alternative treatments.
She chooses standard medical practices instead of non-traditional methods.
general
Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
The wedding followed conventional customs, including a white dress and a church ceremony.
The wedding adhered to traditional practices like wearing white and holding a ceremony in a church.
Often implies adherence to established norms or traditions, sometimes lacking originality.
Engineering
military/technical
(Of a weapon or warfare) Non-nuclear.
The treaty banned the use of conventional weapons in the conflict zone.
The treaty prohibited the deployment of non-nuclear arms in the designated area.
Contrasts with 'nuclear' or 'chemical' weapons in military contexts.
informal
Denoting a person who is overly concerned with convention and propriety.
Don't be so conventional—try something new for once!
Stop being so rigid about rules; experiment with new ideas.
Can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying stiffness or lack of creativity.
Collocations
conventional wisdomwidely accepted beliefs or opinionsconventional methodstandard procedureconventional warfarenon-nuclear military conflict
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'conventional'
While 'conventional' is useful, it can sound overly formal or critical. Consider alternatives like 'traditional,' 'standard,' or 'typical' based on the context to vary your language.
Gold Rule
Contrast with 'unconventional'
Use 'conventional' to highlight adherence to norms, and pair it with 'unconventional' to emphasize creativity or deviation from standards.
Word Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'relating to a formal agreement or convention'): from Latin *conventionalis* 'of agreement,' from *conventio* 'agreement,' from *convenire* 'come together, agree.'
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe practices, beliefs, or methods that are widely accepted or traditional. Can imply both positive (time-tested) and negative (unoriginal) connotations depending on context.
Word Breakdown
con-
with/together
prefix-vent-
come
root-ion
action/state
suffix-al
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary