bohemian

/boʊˈhimiən/

/bəʊˈhimiən/

Other forms: bohemians

An artist who's famous for always being barefoot, or a musician who shares an apartment with her band members and four cats might be described as bohemian — that is, living an unconventional, artistic lifestyle.

In the 19th century, Roma people living in France were referred to as Bohémiens because of a mistaken belief that they came from the middle-European region then known as Bohemia. Over time, the name became attached to artists, writers, and musicians who refused to conform to mainstream society and shared an outsider status and spirit. Today, bohemian still describes someone who lives this way, but it's also a fashion style — such as pairing clogs with a floaty peasant dress.

Definitions of bohemian

1. noun

   a nonconformist writer or artist who lives an unconventional life
   type of:

   nonconformist, recusant

   someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct
2. adjective

   unconventional in especially appearance and behavior
   “a bohemian life style”

   synonyms:

   unconventional

   not conforming to accepted rules or standards