Conventional Meaning
Conventional Definition & Usage
Adhering to accepted or traditional practices, norms, or customs.
Examples
- "The conventional wisdom is that a college degree leads to better job prospects."
- "In conventional societies, marriage is often seen as a necessary step in life."
- "Her conventional approach to business was to follow industry standards without taking risks."
- "He wore a conventional black suit to the interview, aiming to make a professional impression."
- "Conventional cooking methods involve using an oven to bake, broil, or roast food."
Based on or using traditional methods or techniques rather than modern or innovative ones.
Examples
- "She chose a conventional method of teaching, relying heavily on textbooks and lectures."
- "The film was made using conventional film techniques, with no use of digital effects."
- "The architect opted for a conventional design, sticking to familiar styles and materials."
- "Conventional farming practices often rely on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers."
- "Many people still prefer conventional medicine over alternative treatments."
Commonplace or ordinary; not extraordinary or unusual.
Examples
- "The hotel room was clean but conventional, offering nothing more than the basics."
- "The movie had a conventional plot, with a predictable hero and villain."
- "She has a conventional job at a law firm and leads a fairly standard life."
- "The restaurant served conventional dishes like pasta, steak, and seafood."
- "Their house was conventional, decorated in neutral tones with little flair."
Cultural Context
The word 'conventional' comes from the Latin word 'conventus', meaning 'assembly' or 'meeting'. It evolved into a term describing agreed-upon norms or practices. In modern contexts, the word is used to describe things that adhere to traditional, often long-established ways of doing things. This could be in reference to social behavior, business practices, cultural traditions, or artistic styles.
The Conventional Choice
Story
The Conventional Choice
As Sarah sat at the coffee shop, her mind wandered between the job offer in front of her and the adventurous path she had always dreamed of. Her parents, who sat across from her, seemed to be silently urging her toward the conventional choice. Her father, a man who worked at a prestigious law firm for over 30 years, leaned in and said, "You know, the conventional route might be the safest. A stable job, a steady income — it’s what most people do, and it works." Sarah stared at the job offer — a managerial position at a well-established corporation. It was a conventional job, one that came with a nice salary, security, and respect. But her heart longed for something more. She had spent years traveling the world, studying different cultures, and writing about her experiences. She had always seen herself as someone who would break away from the ordinary. The conventional path, she realized, felt stifling. On the other hand, her best friend, Max, had chosen the unconventional path — starting his own digital marketing company at the age of 25. While Sarah felt a bit jealous of his boldness, she was unsure if she could take that leap. The unconventional choice was daunting; it was filled with risks and uncertainties. One evening, while scrolling through social media, Sarah saw a post from an old colleague. She had taken the conventional path and worked her way up in the corporate world. She had a family, a house, and a life that seemed well-planned and secure. "It’s what everyone expects," the post read. "But it’s not what I wanted. I followed the conventional path for too long. I wish I had taken more risks, like you did." The message hit Sarah hard. As much as she admired the conventional life of stability, she realized she couldn’t suppress her desire for something more. She wrote her resignation letter the next day, choosing the unconventional life, at least for now. Sometimes, she thought, there was value in the conventional — it was predictable and reliable. But in her heart, she knew that to truly be herself, she had to take a different route — a path that was uniquely hers.
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