conventional

/kənˈvenʃənl/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈvenʃənl/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl/ (ame, mw)

conventional — adjective

  • conventionalpositive
  • more conventionalcomparative
  • most conventionalsuperlative

1. following the ordinary or widely accepted way of thinking or behaving that most

1.形容詞B1
釋義

following the ordinary or widely accepted way of thinking or behaving that most people in a society use, which can sometimes suggest a lack of new or creative ideas

例句

Sarah wore a conventional black suit to the job interview instead of a bright one.

contrast with unusual alternatives

The village school teaches conventional subjects like math, science, and history.

listing typical members of a category

同義詞
  • traditional

    wider in scope; can refer to customs passed down across generations, while 'conventional' focuses on currently accepted norms

  • orthodox

    stricter and often tied to religious or political doctrine, whereas 'conventional' is more about general social norms

  • standard

    neutral in tone, suggesting normal quality without the possible critical hint of 'conventional'

  • mainstream

    emphasizes what most people accept or follow, especially in culture or ideas

反義詞
  • unconventional

    not following the usual way; often seen as creative or surprising

  • innovative

    introducing new ideas or methods, the opposite of sticking to what is normal

  • avant-garde

    pushing boundaries in art, fashion, or ideas far beyond what is conventional

文法句型

conventional + noun

be + conventional

more conventional than

用法筆記

The tone of this sense shifts with context: neutral when describing widely accepted practices ('conventional medicine'), but mildly critical when suggesting something is ordinary or lacks imagination ('a rather conventional design').

常見錯誤

❌It is conventional to bow when greeting elders.
✅It is customary to bow when greeting elders.
💡'customary' is better for social etiquette rules; 'conventional' describes the usual style or approach, not a rule of politeness.
❌She wore a conventional dress made of silk.
✅She wore a traditional dress made of silk.
💡'traditional' suggests heritage and long history, while 'conventional' focuses on what is currently normal or unremarkable.

2. relating to weapons and military operations that use only traditional explosives

2.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to weapons and military operations that use only traditional explosives, with no atomic energy involved

例句

The two countries agreed to reduce their supplies of conventional weapons under the new treaty.

conventional weapons + disarmament agreement

Ravi wrote a paper on how conventional warfare changed after the tank was invented.

contrast with nuclear warfare

同義詞
  • non-nuclear

    more precise term for weapons that do not use nuclear energy

  • non-atomic

    less common, but used interchangeably in historical contexts

反義詞
  • nuclear

    using nuclear reactions for explosive power

  • atomic

    historically used for nuclear weapons before 'nuclear' became standard

文法句型

conventional + weapon/force/warfare

conventional arms

用法筆記

Almost always appears in military or defense contexts. Unlike sense 1, this sense is purely technical and carries no critical or judgmental tone.