unconventional
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- unconventionalist noun
- unconventionality noun
- unconventionally adverb
Etymology
Origin of unconventional
First recorded in 1830–40; un- 1 + conventional
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.
For three seasons, Jimmy, a therapist grieving the loss of his wife, has used unconventional methods —think taking someone with aggression issues to a boxing ring — to get through to his patients.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Producer Robin Hiley, whose wife is a palliative care doctor, acknowledged that the failure of antibiotics might seem an unconventional subject for musical theatre.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
If the conflict continues to escalate, with growing economic costs and American casualties, Mr. Trump might respond with unconventional escalations of his own.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
The SpaceX IPO will be just as unconventional as Musk himself.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
They are repeatedly reminded that they must have some sort of structure to their nocturnal schedule, being the only children in a rather unconventional household.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
