nontraditional
Britishadjective
Explanation
Anything that's different from the usual customs or traditions is nontraditional. Riding a unicycle to school is a nontraditional form of transportation. Tradition is the passing on of beliefs and rules through the generations. People or things that don't follow these traditions, instead inventing new ways of doing things, are nontraditional. Nontraditional schools are different from most — maybe they don't have grades, or have classes open to students of any age. For a long time, jobs like being a doctor or a soldier or a truck driver were considered nontraditional for women, although this has changed somewhat through the years.
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.
While the early results are encouraging, additional clinical studies will be needed to determine whether glycyrrhizin can safely and effectively treat IBD in people without causing harmful side effects.
From Science Daily • May 9, 2026
Although the results are encouraging, additional research is required before these compounds can be developed into a treatment.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
So while Press Forward is playing an important role in supporting the industry and encouraging additional philanthropic support, it’s also clear that much more is needed to stabilize and regrow America’s gutted local press system.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2024
Halloumi and its squeaky cousins are reluctant to melt, so this process draws moisture out, encouraging additional squeakiness while giving the edges a bit of crunch and caramelized flavor.
From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021
Second, by encouraging additional investment, we’d foster more rapid growth in productivity and income.
From Slate • Dec. 7, 2011
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.
