conventionality

[kuhn-ven-shuh-nal-i-tee]

noun

plural

conventionalities 

1. conventional quality or character.

2. adherence to convention.

3. a conventional practice, principle, form, etc.

4. conventionalities, conventional rules of behavior.

conventionality

/ kənˌvɛnʃəˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality or characteristic of being conventional, esp in behaviour, thinking, etc

2. (often plural) something conventional, esp a normal or accepted rule of behaviour; propriety

Other Word Forms

• semiconventionality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conventionality¹

First recorded in 1825–35; conventional + -ity

Example Sentences

Jonathan Richman’s band displays a “willful lack” of commercial instinct, the Heads assert a “willful conventionality” to their stage appearance, Johnny Ramone is a “willfully obnoxious” guitarist and so on.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The cast is strong enough to sell us on the movie’s idea of love, even when it bends conventionality into a balloon animal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Altemeyer has emphasized that the right-wing authoritarian harbors a peculiar mix of traits: aggression, submissiveness and conventionality.

Read more on Salon

The last thing her fans might have expected from a Britney Spears musical is dutiful conventionality.

Read more on New York Times

Or maybe it has more to do with Lana’s use of convention to smash conventionality.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• civility 
• correctness 
• courtesy 
• decorum 
• dignity 
• good manners www.thesaurus.com
• honesty 
• modesty 
• propriety 
• righteousness 
• virtue