What does unorthodox mean?
Unorthodox describes something that departs from conventional methods, traditions, beliefs, or styles. It is often used for people, ideas, and practices that reject an established norm in order to pursue a different or more original approach. The word can be approving, especially when it describes inventive thinking, flexible strategies, or an approach that challenges conventional wisdom. In more critical contexts, however, unorthodox may imply that something is strange, impractical, or insufficiently supported by accepted practice. For example, a writer might praise an unorthodox teaching method for encouraging independent thought, while a critic might describe an unorthodox medical treatment with caution. The word is useful because it captures the idea of principled departure from the standard without necessarily judging whether that departure is successful. It is especially common in discussions of art, religion, medicine, education, business, politics, and design.
adjectiveDeparting from established traditions, methods, or accepted beliefs; unconventional or unorthodox in approach.
- Departing from conventional methods, styles, or beliefs; unconventional.
"The hospital adopted an unorthodox treatment that combined several traditional therapies."
"Her unorthodox approach to teaching encouraged students to question familiar assumptions."
"The committee approved the architect's unorthodox proposal despite its unusual appearance."
Unorthodox is orthodox with a decisive “un-” in front: a polished word for anything that breaks with the standard.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unorthodox come from?
Unorthodox was formed in English by combining the prefix un- with orthodox. Orthodox comes from Greek orthodoxos, meaning “having the right opinion,” from orthos, “right or correct,” and doxa, “opinion” or “belief.” The same Greek elements underlie related English words such as orthodoxy and orthography.
Related word forms
How unorthodox is actually used
The word is common in formal and informal registers. It can suggest admirable originality and independence of thought, but may also imply eccentricity, excessive novelty, or departure from accepted standards.
Easily confused with unorthodox
Orthodox means conforming to established standards or accepted beliefs, whereas unorthodox means departing from them.