traditional

Also tra·di·tion·ar·y

[truh-dish-uh-nl]

adjective

1. of or relating to beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., handed down from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.

   While in Kyoto I experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

   We use only traditional, time-tested methods to make our wines.

   They gave us a book of traditional stories from the Inuit culture.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

2. in accordance with customs or beliefs handed down from generation to generation.

   It is traditional in some cultures for the bride to be given away by her father.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

3. designating any of various Indigenous or folk religions that do not have a primary founder, written scriptures, or buildings for public worship, and that revolve around practice, ritual, and ceremony rather than systems of doctrine or belief.

   Many of our First Peoples, especially those living on treaty lands, continue to practice traditional religion.

4. (of a person) adhering or conforming to customs, beliefs, values, etc., handed down from generation to generation; preferring what is old or long established; old-fashioned.

   My mom and dad are very traditional and often clash with modern expectations.

5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the older styles of jazz, especially New Orleans style, Chicago style, Kansas City style, and Dixieland.

traditional

/ trəˌdɪʃəˈnælɪtɪ, trəˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a tradition

2. of or relating to the style of jazz originating in New Orleans, characterized by collective improvisation by a front line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet accompanied by various rhythm instruments

Other Word Forms

• traditionality noun
• traditionally adverb
• antitraditional adjective
• antitraditionally adverb
• nontraditional adjective
• nontraditionally adverb
• nontraditionary adjective
• pretraditional adjective
• protraditional adjective
• quasi-traditional adjective
• quasi-traditionally adverb
• semitraditional adjective
• semitraditionally adverb
• untraditional adjective
• untraditionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of traditional¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin trāditiōnālis; equivalent to tradition + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Virtually every Wall Street player is angling to get a piece of the action, from banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley to traditional asset managers such as BlackRock.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But she adds: "This is not just about drones. There is really not enough in place in terms of more traditional missile defence, air defence, along the Eastern flank borders."

Read more on BBC

Farmers from less favored ethnic groups and regions were driven into poverty, causing them to leave their traditional communities and to move their families to large cities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As was the case six years ago, the response to the traditional Maori challenge was the prelude to a memorable win -- just England's ninth in 47 Tests against the All Blacks spanning 120 years.

Read more on Barron's

Bowling is underarm, unlike in the traditional game.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• classic 
• classical 
• common 
• conventional 
• historic 
• long-established www.thesaurus.com
• old 
• popular 
• regular 
• time-honored 
• universal