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.
Journalists love to find surprises and unconventional angles, so I aimed to go down to the fair and find something unexpected.
From Slate • Jul. 1, 2026
“The base pricing is the headline, but the entry-level price point is paired with an unconventional build and a powertrain that is proven harder to sell today.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026
"He touched so many, with his astonishing talent, his love for art and life, and his profound and unconventional insights. His work continues to influence our culture, far beyond the art world."
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
In an unconventional move for a privately held entertainment company, the studio released its child development guidelines on its website Tuesday.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
His unconventional attire evolved over time; his disposition remained unchanged.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
