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

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, for example, only has 7% of its assets in listed equities, compared with 60% for traditional pension funds.

From BBC

One significant element of this failure is a reluctance to understand or recognize that today’s Republican Party is more of a front organization than a traditional political party.

From Salon

Between dead drops and TOR, this meant unlike traditional drug rings, no one actually has to meet face-to-face, shielding the operation from undercovers, turncoats and stool pigeons.

From Salon

Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday.

From BBC

But John Lewis has hit a "more traditional" feel, she added, after last year’s advert proved divisive.

From BBC

Related Words

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