CONVENTIONAL

kun-VEN-shuh-nul

Adjective12 lettersValid in our Scrabble word list
Unscramble CONVENTIONAL

Quick definition

Conventional means conforming to accepted standards, customs, or practices. It describes things that follow traditional or widely accepted ways of doing things, often contrasted with innovative, unconventional, or radical approaches. In essence, conventional choices are safe, standard, and predictable.

Is CONVENTIONAL a valid Scrabble word?

Yes. CONVENTIONAL is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 17 points in Scrabble, 23 in Words With Friends and 18 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.

LetterCONVENTIONALTotal
Scrabble31141111111117
Words With Friends41251211121223
Wordfeud41141111111118

Definition and meaning

Conventional refers to something that adheres to accepted standards, customs, or established practices within a society or field. It represents the mainstream approach that has been validated through common usage and general acceptance. When something is described as conventional, it follows traditional patterns and avoids deviation from established norms.

In various contexts, conventional takes on nuanced meanings. In social settings, conventional behavior aligns with societal expectations and cultural norms. In technology, conventional methods are tried-and-tested approaches that prioritize reliability over innovation. In warfare, conventional weapons exclude nuclear, biological, and chemical arms.

The term often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation in creative fields, where being conventional might suggest a lack of originality or innovation. However, in fields like medicine or engineering, conventional approaches are often preferred for their proven safety and effectiveness.

CONVENTIONAL in a sentence

  • The company decided to move away from conventional marketing strategies and embrace social media influencers.
  • His conventional approach to problem-solving, while reliable, sometimes missed innovative solutions.
  • The startup challenged conventional business models by offering everything as a subscription service.

Synonyms

  • TraditionalFollowing long-established customs
  • OrthodoxConforming to established doctrine
  • CustomaryAccording to usual practice
  • StandardNormal or typical
  • MainstreamBelonging to the majority
  • EstablishedAccepted through long use

Antonyms

  • UnconventionalNot conforming to accepted standards
  • InnovativeFeaturing new methods or ideas
  • RadicalDeparting from tradition
  • UnorthodoxContrary to accepted beliefs
  • AlternativeDifferent from the usual
  • Avant-gardeNew and experimental

Word forms

  • Adverb Form: conventionally
  • Noun Form: convention / conventionality

Origin

The word "conventional" traces its roots to the Latin "conventionalis," derived from "conventio" meaning "meeting, agreement, or covenant." This Latin term comes from "convenire," which combines "con-" (together) + "venire" (to come), literally meaning "to come together."

Anagrams, hooks and words inside CONVENTIONAL

Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of CONVENTIONAL.

Hooks: no front hooks; no back hooks.

Words inside CONVENTIONAL: 523 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: CONVENTIONCONNIVENTEVOCATIONNONACTIVENOVOCAINECOINVENTCONATIVECOVALENTCOVENANTINVOCATELOCATIVENONVIOLENT. See all words from CONVENTIONAL.

Related words

Did you know?

  • The word "conventional" contains all five vowels (A, E, I, O, U), making it a pangram for vowels - valuable for clearing difficult letter combinations in word games.
  • "Conventional wisdom" became a popular phrase after economist John Kenneth Galbraith coined it in 1958 to describe ideas accepted as true without critical examination.
  • In military terminology, "conventional warfare" specifically excludes nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, defining conflicts using traditional armaments.

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