# conventional

/kənˈvɛnʃənəɫ/ (US) · /kənvˈɛnʃənəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conventional
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. traditional or standard

adjective · CEFR B2

following the way most people do things or the way things have been done for a long time.

For teachers: conforming to established standards of behaviour, belief, or practice; often implies a lack of original or experimental thought.

- She decided to have a conventional wedding with a white dress and a large cake.
- While his peers experimented with digital media, the artist remained committed to conventional oil painting techniques developed in the nineteenth century.

### 2. non-nuclear weapons

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing weapons or war that do not use nuclear, chemical, or biological power.

For teachers: referring to weapons or warfare that do not involve weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear capabilities.

- The treaty only covers conventional weapons like tanks and rifles.
- Military analysts expressed concern that a prolonged conventional conflict could eventually escalate into a tactical nuclear exchange.

### 3. standard farming

adjective · CEFR B2

describing farming that uses standard chemicals and pesticides rather than organic methods.

For teachers: denoting a system of agriculture that employs synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides as opposed to organic or regenerative practices.

- Conventional apples are usually cheaper than the organic ones at this supermarket.
- The transition from conventional to organic farming requires a three-year period during which no prohibited synthetic substances may be applied to the land.

### 4. fixed-rate bond

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · British English

a type of government bond that pays a fixed amount of interest until it is finished.

For teachers: a gilt-edged security that pays a fixed coupon at regular intervals until maturity, distinct from index-linked bonds.

- The investor decided to put his money into a conventional rather than an index-linked bond.
- Institutional investors often prefer conventionals when inflation is expected to remain low, as the fixed coupon provides a predictable income stream.

## Examples

- She prefers a conventional wedding dress over a modern one.
- While many farmers are switching to organic methods, his family still uses conventional fertilizers to ensure a high yield.
- The artist's early work followed conventional portraiture techniques, but her later pieces challenged the very definition of the medium through abstract forms and industrial materials.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.