unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al

ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl

 

: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary

an unconventional outfit

an unconventional thinker

unconventionality

ˌən-kən-ˌven(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

unconventionally adverb

Synonyms

• dissentient
• dissenting
• dissident
• heretical
• heretic
• heterodox
• iconoclastic
• maverick
• nonconformist
• nonorthodox
• out-there
• unorthodox

Examples of unconventional in a Sentence

Her lifestyle is rather unconventional.

the Shakers acquired their name because of their unconventional practice of dancing with shaking movements during worship

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, the film has an unconventional aesthetic — a bit like a tapestry of artistic curios that is stitched together. —Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Certainly, with one-time Republican dissenter Utah Gov. Spencer Cox now having hitched his wagon firmly to the Trump train in the last dash toward Election Day, notions of SLC and Park City being aligned with Sundance’s values of inclusion and the unconventional might prove a harder sell. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024

American studios, though, had little interest in the unconventional Japanese-language film. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2024

The Titan became the subject of scrutiny in the undersea exploration community in part because of its unconventional design and its creator’s decision to forgo standard independent checks. —Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: not conventional : not bound by or in agreement with convention

unconventional behavior

unconventionality

-ˌven-chə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

unconventionally

-ˈvench-nə-lē

-ən-ᵊl-ē

adverb