unconventional

/ənkənˈvɛnʃɪnəl/

/ənkənˈvɛntʃənəl/

To be unconventional is to act, dress, speak, or otherwise exist out of the bounds of cultural norms. If you eat cheeseburgers for breakfast, that's somewhat unconventional.

Anything that's nonconformist or out of the ordinary can be described as unconventional. Every culture has its own conventions — or norms — and what may be unconventional in one region might be typical in another. The perception of what's unconventional is determined by context.

Definitions of unconventional

1. adjective

   not conventional or conformist
   “unconventional life styles”

   synonyms:

   alternative

   pertaining to unconventional choices

   bizarre, eccentric, flakey, flaky, freakish, freaky, gonzo, off-the-wall, outlandish, outre

   conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

   devil-may-care, raffish, rakish

   marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness

   far-out, kinky, offbeat, quirky, way-out

   informal terms; strikingly unconventional

   funky

   stylish and modern in an unconventional way

   spaced-out, spacey, spacy

   stupefied by (or as if by) some narcotic drug

   antonyms:

   conventional

   following accepted customs and proprieties

   conventional

   unimaginative and conformist

   received

   widely accepted as true or worthy

   customary

   in accordance with convention or custom

   formulaic

   characterized by or in accordance with some formula

   stodgy, stuffy

   excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull

   button-down, buttoned-down, conservative

   unimaginatively conventional

   square, straight

   rigidly conventional or old-fashioned

   stereotyped, stereotypic, stereotypical, unimaginative

   lacking spontaneity or originality or individuality

   white-bread

   of or belonging to or representative of the white middle class

   formal

   being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

   unoriginal

   not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual
2. adjective

   not conforming to accepted rules or standards
   “her unconventional dress and hair style”

   synonyms:

   bohemian

   unconventional in especially appearance and behavior

   go-as-you-please, transgressive

   not bound by rule or law or convention

   irregular, maverick, unorthodox

   independent in behavior or thought

   original

   being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of

   antonyms:

   conventional

   following accepted customs and proprieties

   received

   widely accepted as true or worthy

   customary

   in accordance with convention or custom

   formulaic

   characterized by or in accordance with some formula

   stodgy, stuffy

   excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull

   formal

   being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

   unoriginal

   not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual
3. adjective

   not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention
   “an unconventional marriage”

   synonyms: improper, unlawful

   irregular

   contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice