What does conventionally mean?
"Conventionally" is an adverb meaning in accordance with established custom, accepted standards, or traditional practice. When something is done conventionally, it follows the ordinary or expected way of doing things rather than a novel, experimental, or unorthodox approach. The word derives from "convention," which itself comes from the Latin "conventio," meaning a meeting or agreement — fitting, since conventions are precisely the shared agreements a society settles upon. In contemporary English, "conventionally" frequently appears in phrases that set up a deliberate contrast, such as "conventionally attractive," "conventionally beautiful," or "conventionally grown" produce, where naming the conventional option implicitly acknowledges alternatives like organic farming or non-traditional standards of beauty. This gives the word a subtle, sometimes ironic connotation: to describe something as conventional is often to note that it conforms rather than stands out. It pairs naturally with antonyms such as "unconventionally" and "unorthodoxly," making it useful in discussion of art, fashion, agriculture, and social norms.
adverbIn accordance with convention or what is generally accepted, customary, or traditional. In a manner that follows established practices rather than novel or unconventional approaches.
- In accordance with established custom, tradition, or general acceptance; in the usual or orthodox way.
- In art, food, or production: using standard rather than organic, experimental, or unconventional methods (e.g., conventionally grown produce).
"The bride chose a conventionally elegant gown rather than anything avant-garde."
"She dressed conventionally for the interview, opting for a dark suit and minimal jewellery."
"Conventionally grown tomatoes were on sale next to the organic ones at half the price."
The word "attractive" gets its power from contrast — calling someone "conventionally attractive" quietly implies there's another kind of attractive worth having.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conventionally
"Conventionally" traces back through Middle French "convention" to the Latin "conventio," meaning a coming together, meeting, or agreement, from "convenire" (to come together). The noun "convention" entered English in the late medieval period, and the adjective "conventional" developed from it by the early modern period, first describing things agreed upon or contracted, later extending to customary and accepted usage. The adverb "conventionally" emerged as the derived form of this adjective, appearing in English by roughly the eighteenth century as writers needed a term for actions performed in accordance with accepted norms. Cognates sharing the same Latin root include "convene," "covenant" (via related Latin roots), and "intervene."
Related word forms
How conventionally is actually used
Neutral to slightly formal register. In modern usage it often carries an implicit contrast with an alternative — "conventionally attractive," "conventionally grown" — where naming the conventional option signals awareness of non-conventional ones. Rarely used with strong positive or negative connotation on its own.
Easily confused with conventionally
"Conventional" is the adjective describing something that follows accepted norms, while "conventionally" is the adverb describing the manner in which an action is done.