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Synonyms

traditional

American  
[truh-dish-uh-nl] / trəˈdɪʃ ə nl /
Also traditionary

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.


traditional British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • antitraditional adjective
  • antitraditionally adverb
  • nontraditional adjective
  • nontraditionally adverb
  • nontraditionary adjective
  • pretraditional adjective
  • protraditional adjective
  • quasi-traditional adjective
  • quasi-traditionally adverb
  • semitraditional adjective
  • semitraditionally adverb
  • traditionality noun
  • traditionally adverb
  • untraditional adjective
  • untraditionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of traditional

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

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.

The whereabouts of the traditional king are reportedly unknown.

From BBC

Many investors took it as a sign that AI could soon disrupt the traditional software-as-a-service business model, sending stocks spiraling.

From Barron's

The traditional waiting period is intended to give the companies time to demonstrate that they are stable and liquid enough to handle extensive buying from index funds.

From The Wall Street Journal

He focuses on the intersection of power, business and technology, using data analysis and programming alongside traditional reporting to uncover investigative stories.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the past six years, D’Amaro has run Disney’s parks and experiences division, which now is the company’s largest business unit amid the decline of traditional television.

From Los Angeles Times