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

Scientists believe the Bay may act as an emergency feeding stop for whales in poor condition, as unusually thin individuals have been observed foraging in other nontraditional habitats as well.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

In the meantime, the council outlawed discrimination against polyamorous people and others in nontraditional family structures, such as multigenerational immigrant households.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

The Hoosiers are showing how nontraditional powers can emerge as huge attractions in this era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

Decades of data show that nontraditional activities actually make banks safer because they add fee revenue and make portfolios more diverse.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

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

Related Words

• futuristic
• state-of-the-art