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conventional

adjective
con·​ven·​tion·​al | \ kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce conventional (audio) , -ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl\

Definition of conventional

1 : formed by agreement or compact
2a : according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention conventional spelling conventional morality
b : lacking originality or individuality : trite Most of her books are conventional detective stories.
c(1) : ordinary, commonplace conventional medications
(2) : nonnuclear sense 1 conventional warfare
3a : according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms
b : of traditional design
4 : of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
Other Words from conventional Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about conventional

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Other Words from conventional

conventionalism \ kən-​ˈvench-​nə-​ˌli-​zəm How to pronounce conventionalism (audio) , -​ˈven(t)-​shə-​ \ noun
conventionalist \ kən-​ˈvench-​nə-​list How to pronounce conventionalist (audio) , -​ˈven(t)-​shə-​ \ noun or adjective
conventionalization \ kən-​ˌvench-​nə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce conventionalization (audio) , -​ˌven(t)-​shə-​nə-​ \ noun
conventionalize \ kən-​ˈvench-​nə-​ˌlīz How to pronounce conventionalize (audio) , -​ˈven(t)-​shə-​nə-​ \ transitive verb
conventionally adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for conventional

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms. ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies a ceremonial offering , ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony. made his ceremonious entrance formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior. a formal report the headmaster's formal manner conventional implies accord with general custom and usage conventional courtesy and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence. conventional fiction

Examples of conventional in a Sentence

The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds. While microwaves heat up food more quickly, most food tastes better when it is cooked in a conventional oven. Most of her books are conventional detective stories. His views on dating are more conventional than those of some of his friends.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The missile was armed with a conventional, not nuclear, warhead. — Robert Burns And Lolita C. Baldor, chicagotribune.com, "Pentagon conducts 1st test of missile banned for more than 30 years," 19 Aug. 2019 The missile was armed with a conventional, not nuclear, warhead. — Washington Post, "Pentagon conducts 1st test of previously banned missile," 19 Aug. 2019 In general, liberals tend to be more open-minded, creative, and novelty seeking; conservatives tend to be more orderly and conventional, and to prefer stability. — Bill Sullivan, National Geographic, "Why we like what we like: A scientist’s surprising findings," 6 Aug. 2019 Homeopathic remedies -- which have become a multi billion dollar industry -- can often be found at health stores and even alongside conventional treatments in the medicine aisle. — Jeremy Bradley, CBS News, "From a dire diagnosis to a new mission in life," 25 July 2019 As with any public key system, there’s no proof the postquantum schemes are uncrackable, perhaps even with a conventional computer. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Cryptographers scramble to protect the internet from hackers with quantum computers," 21 Aug. 2019 Wehrli told NBC News that the effect is similar to what's known about conventional tobacco smoking. — Erika Edwards, NBC News, "Vaping for the first time can damage blood vessels," 20 Aug. 2019 The 2019 deadline stands to be much more conventional for them, however. — Emma Baccellieri, SI.com, "MLB Power Rankings: Whose Trade Deadline Stance Has Changed the Most Since 2018?," 19 July 2019 Premiering on July 24, South Side is the more conventional of the two, with all the rapid-fire jokes and zany digressions of a Tina Fey joint. — Judy Berman, Time, "This Late-Night Comedy Duo Created Two of the Summer's Funniest New Shows," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conventional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of conventional

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for conventional

see convention

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More Definitions for conventional

conventional

adjective
How to pronounce conventional (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of conventional

: used and accepted by most people : usual or traditional
: of a kind that has been around for a long time and is considered to be usual or typical
: common and ordinary : not unusual

See the full definition for conventional in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conventional

adjective
con·​ven·​tion·​al | \ kən-ˈven-shə-nᵊl How to pronounce conventional (audio) \

Kids Definition of conventional

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