conventional

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

conventional — 形容詞

  • 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

傳統的

遵循社會普遍接受的慣例或方式

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.

Sarah 穿著傳統的黑色西裝去面試，沒有選亮色的那一套。

contrast with unusual alternatives

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

這所鄉村學校教授傳統科目，例如數學、科學和歷史。

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

非核的

不使用核能的武器或作戰方式

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.

兩國同意根據新條約減少常規武器的儲備量。

conventional weapons + disarmament agreement

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

Ravi 寫了一篇報告，探討坦克問世後常規戰爭的演變。

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.