unconventional

[uhn-kuhn-ven-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. not conventional; not bound by or conforming to convention, rule, or precedent; free from conventionality.

   an unconventional artist; an unconventional use of material.

   Synonyms: atypical, idiosyncratic, individualistic, eccentric

unconventional

/ ˌʌnkənˈvɛnʃənəl /

adjective

1. not conforming to accepted rules or standards

Other Word Forms

• unconventionalist noun
• unconventionally adverb
• unconventionality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unconventional¹

First recorded in 1830–40; un- ¹ + conventional

Example Sentences

And now, if you look at alternative music, I mean, there’s been an absolute explosion of people using unconventional instrumentation within the breath of alternative music, as it should be.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The closing portion of “Sentimental Value” sharpens perspective, informing us that Trier’s film isn’t so much about the ties that bind as it is the unconventional methods of communication used to shorten their length.

Read more on Salon

But one farmer in the south of Scotland is pioneering an unconventional method of commercial dairy farming - keeping cow and calf together for about six months.

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He adds that the work also highlights the growing importance of circular phonon fields, first demonstrated by the group in 2017, as a powerful tool for manipulating unconventional material phases.

Read more on Science Daily

England have had various plans to counter Smith's unconventional technique over 14 years of Ashes series.

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Related Words

• atypical 
• bizarre 
• eccentric 
• idiosyncratic 
• individualistic 
• offbeat 
• original 
• unique 
• unorthodox 
• unusual