Etymologically
Log in

conventional

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 11:59. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

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

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