nonconformity
Americannoun
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failure or refusal to conform, as with established customs, attitudes, or ideas.
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lack of conformity or agreement.
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(often initial capital letter) refusal to conform to the Church of England.
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Geology. an unconformity that separates crystalline rocks, either igneous or metamorphic, from sedimentary rocks.
noun
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failure or refusal to conform
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absence of agreement or harmony
Etymology
Origin of nonconformity
First recorded in 1610–20; non- + conformity
Explanation
If a fireman came to work in a police outfit or clown suit, that would be a clear case of nonconformity. Where there's nonconformity, there's difference. When everyone is acting or dressing exactly the same, there's conformity, not nonconformity. Nonconformity means that someone is doing things differently from the norm. People in authority tend to dislike nonconformity, because it makes people harder to control. Someone who demonstrates nonconformity most of the time is a nonconformist. Too much nonconformity can create chaos, but without a little nonconformity, life would be pretty boring.
Vocabulary lists containing nonconformity
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 1
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This Week In Culture, July 18–24, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nonconformity had become less an ideology than an aesthetic, one to which everyone could safely conform.
From New York Times • Sep. 17, 2019
Nonconformity thrives in the Northwest, from the searchers for Bigfoot to electing Socialist politicians.
From Seattle Times • May 16, 2016
The project will also develop a virtual museum recounting the story of Nonconformity in Wales.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2014
Nonconformity often has a social cost, so people assume people breaking the rules enjoy a powerful enough position that they are not concerned about the costs.
From Scientific American • Dec. 17, 2013
He was cast into prison by the bishops for his Nonconformity; and all his money being expended by his long confinement, he met with much unkind usage from the gaoler.
From Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county. by Coleman, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
