unconventional
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unconventional
First recorded in 1830–40; un- 1 + conventional
Explanation
To be unconventional is to act, dress, speak, or otherwise exist out of the bounds of cultural norms. If you eat cheeseburgers for breakfast, that's somewhat unconventional. Anything that's nonconformist or out of the ordinary can be described as unconventional. Every culture has its own conventions — or norms — and what may be unconventional in one region might be typical in another. The perception of what's unconventional is determined by context.
Vocabulary lists containing unconventional
Power Prefix: un-
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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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.
BCS theory successfully explained known superconducting behavior until scientists discovered "unconventional" superconductors in 1986.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
Besides his unconventional path to becoming a Green Lantern, Stewart is in possession of a unique lantern for recharging his ring that was forged by Sinestro, Jordan’s disgraced mentor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
My life, too unconventional for a husband and kids, would be lived out of suitcases, a dog-eared passport forever in my back pocket.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
They had met in an unconventional way, and their life together was unconventional too.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
In all honesty, though, Gregory was a fine candidate, and the appointment seems to have been made largely on merit, not just because of Halley’s unconventional religious views.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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.
