conventional

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin conventionalis (“relating to an agreement”),^[2][3][4] perhaps through conventionnel,^[4][5] from conventio (“meeting, assembly; agreement”) (see convention), from convenīre (“to come together, agree”), from com- (“together”) and venīre (“to come”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of the nature of an agreement or compact: the late 15th century in Etymonline, SOED and NODE;^[2][4][5] the OED's first example is from 1583.^[6]

Semantic evolution

Established by social convention, arising from custom, is from 1761,^[2][6] and following accepted standards or tradition, often without originality, from 1831.^[2][6] Of the nature of a formal assembly of delegates is from 1812 and is now rare.^[2][6] In card games such as bridge, a conventional bid follows an agreed system (1864).^[6] Of weapons, non-nuclear, it is from 1955.^[2]

Timeline

• 1583 – of the nature of an agreement.^[6]
• 1761 – established by custom.^[2][6]
• 1812 – of a convention or assembly.^[2][6]
• 1831 – following tradition.^[2][6]
• 1955 – of weapons, non-nuclear.^[2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Following accepted customs and standards, often without originality: a conventional lifestyle.
2. Established by general agreement or long usage; customary.
3. Of weapons or warfare, not nuclear.
4. Traditional rather than modern or alternative: conventional medicine.

Word family

• conventionalism
• conventionalist
• conventionally
• conventionalization
• anticonventional
• conventionality
• conventionalize
• nonconventional

Related words

• convention
• convene
• covenant
• unconventional
• venue

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press