nonconformist

[ non-kuhn-fawr-mist ]

noun

1. a person who refuses to conform, as to established customs, attitudes, or ideas.

   Synonyms: loner, individualist, dissident, dissenter

2. (often initial capital letter) a Protestant in England who is not a member of the Church of England; dissenter.

Nonconformist

¹

/ ˌnɒnkənˈfɔːmɪst /

noun

1. a member of a Protestant denomination that dissents from an Established Church, esp the Church of England

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting Nonconformists

nonconformist

²

/ ˌnɒnkənˈfɔːmɪst /

noun

1. a person who does not conform to generally accepted patterns of behaviour or thought

adjective

1. of or characterized by behaviour that does not conform to generally accepted patterns

Derived Forms

• ˌNonconˈformity, noun
• ˌnonconˈformism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonconformist¹

First recorded in 1610–20; non- + conformist

Example Sentences

His nonconformist work is a perfect fit for Valmorbida and Roitfeld, who are rather untraditional art dealers themselves.

From The Daily Beast

So, again, the rule of the English Church seems less beneficial than that of the more rational and free Nonconformist.

From Project Gutenberg

The Church of England in Wales is greatly inferior in numbers and influence to the various nonconformist branches.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he notably enhanced his popularity as a preacher, and became one of the recognized leaders of Nonconformist opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

He that did not conform was deprived of more civil privileges than a nonconformist is deprived of by the Test Act in England.

From Project Gutenberg

In forming his plan he received much help from Price, a nonconformist minister, distinguished as a writer on financial questions.

From Project Gutenberg