traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdish-nəl 

-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms

• classical
• conventional
• customary
• prescriptive

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Wilson's case is closer to the typical traditional use of a conservatorship, which very often is installed for an older person in irreversible mental decline. —CBS News, 10 May 2024

Class war Surprise, surprise: Elon Musk has little trust in traditional schooling. —Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl,

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb