nonconformist

/ˌˈnɑnkənˌfɔrməst/

/nɒnkənˈfɔmɪst/

Other forms: nonconformists

A nonconformist is someone who doesn’t conform to other people’s ideas of how things should be. Activists, artists, street performers, your wacky uncle Marvin — anyone who marches to the beat of a different drummer is a nonconformist.

Nonconformist is one of those words that has both a noun and an adjective form. The noun describes someone who acts apart from the masses, and the adjective describes people or other things that have those same nonconformist qualities. If your actions mark you as a nonconformist, chances are you'll take a nonconformist approach when it comes to planning your next vacation.

Definitions of nonconformist

1. noun

   someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct
   synonyms: recusant

   antonyms:

   conformist

   someone who conforms to established standards of conduct (especially in religious matters)

   types:

   beat, beatnik

   a member of the beat generation; a nonconformist in dress and behavior

   bohemian

   a nonconformist writer or artist who lives an unconventional life

   enfant terrible

   a person whose unconventional behavior embarrasses others

   heretic

   a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)

   maverick, rebel

   someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action

   type of:

   contestant, dissenter, dissentient, dissident, objector, protester

   a person who dissents from some established policy
2. adjective

   not conforming to some norm or socially approved pattern of behavior or thought
   “their rabidly nonconformist deportment has made them legendary”

   “the old stubborn nonconformist spirit of the early settlers”

   synonyms: unconformist

   antonyms:

   conformist

   marked by convention and conformity to customs or rules or styles
3. adjective

   not conforming to established customs or doctrines especially in religion
   synonyms: nonconforming

   unorthodox

   breaking with convention or tradition