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

Koch Industries, a traditional heavyweight among political donors, came in second.

From Salon

Meanwhile, traditional truck builders are selling their own electric big rigs, and can’t keep up with demand.

From Los Angeles Times

It's a common traditional practice in many Indigenous and Mexican-heritage communities across the Americas, through which children learn by being involved alongside adults in the full range of daily activities of their family and community.

From Science Daily

The study also warned that AI’s power to store data might sound the death knell for the culture around traditional music.

From BBC

But a row over the seven-day opening of a Tesco in Stornoway, Lewis, has brought this traditional way of life into focus.

From BBC

Related Words

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