unconventional

adjective

un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unconventional (audio)
Synonyms of unconventionalnext
: not conventional : not bound by or in accordance with convention : being out of the ordinary
an unconventional outfit
an unconventional thinker
unconventionally adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Has Oakland’s Boots Riley — celebrated purveyor of the bizarre and unconventional — suddenly gone soft on us? Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 Simulated answers may also smooth out unconventional, but insightful responses. Will Johnson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Such an unconventional approach baffled plenty of people, including the show’s musical composer Marvin Hamlisch, who at the time was in high demand in the film industry and halfway to becoming an EGOT. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026 The film suggests that a moral imperative was as essential to Avedon’s work as his unconventional aesthetic vocabulary. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unconventional was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unconventional. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

unconventional

adjective
un·​con·​ven·​tion·​al ˌən-kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce unconventional (audio)
-ən-ᵊl
: not conventional : not bound by or in agreement with convention
unconventional behavior
unconventionality noun
unconventionally
-ˈvench-nə-lē
-ən-ᵊl-ē
adverb

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