traditional

[ truh-dish-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., handed down from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice:

   While in Kyoto I experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

   We use only traditional, time-tested methods to make our wines.

   They gave us a book of traditional stories from the Inuit culture.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

2. in accordance with customs or beliefs handed down from generation to generation:

   It is traditional in some cultures for the bride to be given away by her father.

   Synonyms: established, customary, conventional

3. designating any of various Indigenous or folk religions that do not have a primary founder, written scriptures, or buildings for public worship, and that revolve around practice, ritual, and ceremony rather than systems of doctrine or belief:

   Many of our First Peoples, especially those living on treaty lands, continue to practice traditional religion.

4. (of a person) adhering or conforming to customs, beliefs, values, etc., handed down from generation to generation; preferring what is old or long established; old-fashioned:

   My mom and dad are very traditional and often clash with modern expectations.

5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the older styles of jazz, especially New Orleans style, Chicago style, Kansas City style, and Dixieland. Compare mainstream ( def 5 ).

traditional

/ trəˌdɪʃəˈnælɪtɪ; trəˈdɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a tradition
2. of or relating to the style of jazz originating in New Orleans, characterized by collective improvisation by a front line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet accompanied by various rhythm instruments

Derived Forms

• traditionality, noun
• traˈditionally, adverb

Other Words From

• tra·di·tion·al·i·ty [tr, uh, -dish-, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
• tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• an·ti·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• an·ti·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• non·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·tra·di·tion·ar·y adjective
• pre·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• pro·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-tra·di·tion·al adjective
• qua·si-tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• sem·i·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• sem·i·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb
• un·tra·di·tion·al adjective
• un·tra·di·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of traditional¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin trāditiōnālis; equivalent to tradition + -al ¹

Example Sentences

This new technique allowed the team to detect signs of natural selection more effectively than traditional methods.

From Science Daily

The limit was set in 2004, years before streaming video started eating away at traditional TV’s audience share.

From Los Angeles Times

The star said it would be a change from her traditional New Year celebrations, which usually involve being "at home with the telly on".

From BBC

At the very least it will undoubtedly go down as the era that signaled the death knell for what many have come to regard as “traditional journalism.”

From Salon

He was a bridgehead to Labour's traditional working class roots who saw the value in, and indeed personified, championing the aspirations of the less well off.

From BBC

Related Words

• classic
• classical
• common
• conventional
• historic
• long-established
• old
• popular
• regular
• time-honored
• universal