Conventional
/kənˈvɛnʃənəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsBased on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
/kənˈvɛnʃənəl/
Following accepted customs and standards.
He prefers conventional styles over anything too modern.
💡 Simply: Imagine everyone is wearing the same style of clothes. If you're also wearing that style, you're being conventional - doing what's normal and expected. Like, going to school is a conventional thing to do.
👶 For kids: If something is conventional, it means it's like what most people do. Like, wearing shoes is conventional!
More Examples
The company adopted conventional business practices.
The treatment involved conventional medicine.
How It's Used
"They followed conventional methods of farming."
"Her artwork challenged conventional notions of beauty."
"The new device uses conventional technology."
Relating to or denoting weapons that are not nuclear.
/kənˈvɛnʃənəl/
Based on or in accordance with a general agreement or accepted practice.
The army used conventional artillery in the attack.
💡 Simply: Imagine countries making an agreement about what kinds of weapons they'll use. Weapons that aren't super-powerful, like nuclear bombs, are called conventional weapons. It's about following an agreement.
👶 For kids: In a war, conventional weapons are normal weapons, like guns or tanks. They are not super powerful weapons like bombs that can hurt a lot of people.
More Examples
Conventional warfare tactics were employed during the battle.
The treaty aimed to limit the use of conventional arms.
How It's Used
"The country threatened the use of conventional weapons."
"They deployed conventional forces in the region."
Idioms & expressions
conventional wisdom
The generally accepted belief or opinion.
"Conventional wisdom suggests that rising interest rates will slow down the economy."
From Middle English, from Latin conventionalis ('based on agreement, customary'), from conventio ('agreement, assembly'), from convenire ('to come together, agree').
The word 'conventional' has been used since the 17th century to describe something based on agreement or custom. Its use expanded in the 20th century to encompass the non-nuclear military context.
Memory tip
Think of a 'convention' – what's typically done there? That's conventional.
Word Origin
"agreement, assembly"