adj · noun · 14 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 N V EH1 N SH AH0 N AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pertaining to a convention, as in following generally accepted principles, methods and behaviour.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: canonical, typical, customary, traditional, commensurate, compatible, compliant, conformable, conformant, congruent, congruous, consistent, in line, in step, proportionate, uniform, halal, homodox, kosher, orthodox, by the book, allowed, conventional, natural, official, proper, routine
Antonyms: atypical, out of the ordinary, unconventional, nonconventional
2
adj
Meaning 2
Ordinary, commonplace.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
They wear conventional clothes, eat conventional food, and keep conventional hours.
Pertaining to a weapon which is not a weapon of mass destruction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: engineering, government, military, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, politics, tools, war, weaponry
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: nuclear
5
adj
Meaning 5
Making use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: agriculture, business, lifestyle
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: organic
6
adj
Meaning 6
In accordance with a bidding convention, as opposed to a natural bid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: bridge, games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: artificial
Antonyms: natural
7
noun
Meaning 7
A conventional gilt-edged security, a kind of bond paying the holder a fixed cash payment (or coupon) every six months until maturity, at which point the holder receives the final payment and the return of the principal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, finance
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective
Meaning 8
following accepted customs and proprieties
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
conventional wisdom
she had strayed from the path of conventional behavior
conventional forms of address
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: unconventional
9
adjective
Meaning 9
unimaginative and conformist
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
conventional bourgeois lives
conventional attitudes
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: unconventional
10
adjective
Meaning 10
(weapons) using energy for propulsion or destruction that is not nuclear energy
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
conventional warfare
conventional weapons
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: nuclear
11
adjective satellite
Meaning 11
in accord with or being a tradition or practice accepted from the past
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a conventional church wedding with the bride in traditional white
the conventional handshake
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
adjective satellite
Meaning 12
rigidly formal or bound by convention
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
their ceremonious greetings did not seem heartfelt
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ceremonious
Antonyms: none provided
13
adjective satellite
Meaning 13
conforming with accepted standards
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a conventional view of the world
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: established
Antonyms: none provided
14
adjective satellite
Meaning 14
represented in simplified or symbolic form
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: formal, schematic
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From convention + -al.
Across languages
Translations
56 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
عُرْفِيّ
(ʕurfiyy)
— following an accepted principle
Catalan:
convencional
— following an accepted principle
Chinese Mandarin:
协定的
— following an accepted principle
Dutch:
conventioneel
— following an accepted principle
Esperanto:
konvencia
— following an accepted principle
Finnish:
tavanomainen
— following an accepted principle
Finnish:
konventionaalinen
— following an accepted principle
French:
conventionnel
— following an accepted principle
Galician:
convencional
— following an accepted principle
German:
konventionell
— following an accepted principle
Hindi:
पारंपरिक
(pāramprik)
— following an accepted principle
Hindi:
परंपरागत
(paramprāgat)
— following an accepted principle
Indonesian:
konvensional
— following an accepted principle
Irish:
gnásúil
— following an accepted principle
Persian:
عرفی
('orfi)
— following an accepted principle
Polish:
konwencjonalny
— following an accepted principle
Polish:
konwencyjny
— following an accepted principle
Portuguese:
convencional
— following an accepted principle
Romanian:
convențional
— following an accepted principle
Russian:
общепри́нятый
(obščeprínjatyj)
— following an accepted principle
Russian:
конвенцио́нный
(konvenciónnyj)
— following an accepted principle
Spanish:
convencional
— following an accepted principle
Swedish:
vedertagen
— following an accepted principle
Tagalog:
kagawianin
— following an accepted principle
Ottoman Turkish:
مسنون
(mesnun)
— following an accepted principle
Ukrainian:
загальнопри́йнятий
(zahalʹnoprýjnjatyj)
— following an accepted principle
Ukrainian:
конвенційний
(kovencíjnyj)
— following an accepted principle
Vietnamese:
tục lệ
— following an accepted principle
Vietnamese:
lẽ thường
— following an accepted principle
Welsh:
confensiynol
— following an accepted principle