traditional

[ truh-dish-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., handed down from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice:

   While in Kyoto I experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

   We use only traditional, time-tested methods to make our wines.

   They gave us a book of traditional stories from the Inuit culture.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

2. in accordance with customs or beliefs handed down from generation to generation:

   It is traditional in some cultures for the bride to be given away by her father.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

3. designating any of various Indigenous or folk religions that do not have a primary founder, written scriptures, or buildings for public worship, and that revolve around practice, ritual, and ceremony rather than systems of doctrine or belief:

   Many of our First Peoples, especially those living on treaty lands, continue to practice traditional religion.

4. (of a person) adhering or conforming to customs, beliefs, values, etc., handed down from generation to generation; preferring what is old or long established; old-fashioned:

   My mom and dad are very traditional and often clash with modern expectations.

5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the older styles of jazz, especially New Orleans style, Chicago style, Kansas City style, and Dixieland. Compare mainstream ( def 5 ).

traditional

/ trəˌdɪʃəˈnælɪtɪ; trəˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a tradition
2. of or relating to the style of jazz originating in New Orleans, characterized by collective improvisation by a front line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet accompanied by various rhythm instruments

Derived Forms

• traditionality, noun
• traˈditionally, adverb

Other Words From

• tra·di·tion·al·i·ty [tr, uh, -dish-, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• an·ti·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• an·ti·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• non·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·tra·di·tion·ar·y adjective
• pre·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• pro·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-tra·di·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• sem·i·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• sem·i·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• un·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• un·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of traditional¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin trāditiōnālis; equivalent to tradition + -al ¹

Example Sentences

“We really support our designers and brands to have a more free-flowing approach, so they don’t have to go by traditional means whatsoever,” says Pardo.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, the story manifested itself in a “very simple hand-drawn” short film about a cat and its fear of water — a universal narrative that allowed the story to proceed without a traditional antagonist.

From Los Angeles Times

The hybrids are also much more productive than traditional varieties.

From BBC

Curtis is returning to the Christmas theme for his latest film, but this time around he has moved away from the traditional romcom and taken on his first animated project.

From BBC

The findings could bolster First Nations tribes’ legal claims to their traditional lands.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• classic
• classical
• common
• conventional
• historic
• long-established
• old
• popular
• regular
• time-honored
• universal