conventional
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.following the way most people do things or the way things have been done for a long time.
adj.conforming to established standards of behaviour, belief, or practice; often implies a lack of original or experimental thought.
Simple“She decided to have a conventional wedding with a white dress and a large cake.”
In context“While his peers experimented with digital media, the artist remained committed to conventional oil painting techniques developed in the nineteenth century.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.describing weapons or war that do not use nuclear, chemical, or biological power.
adj.referring to weapons or warfare that do not involve weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear capabilities.
Simple“The treaty only covers conventional weapons like tanks and rifles.”
In context“Military analysts expressed concern that a prolonged conventional conflict could eventually escalate into a tactical nuclear exchange.”
Synonymsnon nucleartraditional - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describing farming that uses standard chemicals and pesticides rather than organic methods.
adj.denoting a system of agriculture that employs synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides as opposed to organic or regenerative practices.
Simple“Conventional apples are usually cheaper than the organic ones at this supermarket.”
In context“The transition from conventional to organic farming requires a three-year period during which no prohibited synthetic substances may be applied to the land.”
Synonymsnon organicAntonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a type of government bond that pays a fixed amount of interest until it is finished.
n.a gilt-edged security that pays a fixed coupon at regular intervals until maturity, distinct from index-linked bonds.
Simple“The investor decided to put his money into a conventional rather than an index-linked bond.”
In context“Institutional investors often prefer conventionals when inflation is expected to remain low, as the fixed coupon provides a predictable income stream.”
Usage conventional approach · conventional form · conventional level
“But it lacks Brookes’ usual ambition: its delivery is fairly conventional; things aren’t pushed as far as we expect.”
“She challenged the conventional view that most head and neck cancers resulted from cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.”
From convention + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.