nontraditional

British  

/ ˌnɒntrəˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. not traditional; unconventional

   nontraditional lifestyles

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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

See Examples For:

nontraditional

Whether these nontraditional finance apps ultimately help consumers depends largely on how people engage with them.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Its curatorial methods may not force a reconsideration of how to rethink a museum, but giving audiences of nontraditional forms of art the weight of an entire institution could prove more consequential.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

It makes sense, given the growth of nontraditional investments, particularly among younger investors.

From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026

Instead, it employs algorithmically driven ads to drive business online, creators to generate interest on social media, and traditional and nontraditional press coverage to reach the masses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

It’s dead obvious from the shock trapped in Dr. Chin’s raised eyebrows after meeting Troy and Emilio that he got no forewarning about the nontraditional family next door.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

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