conventionality
conventionality — noun
- conventionalitysingular
- conventionalitiesplural
1. the habit of always doing things in the traditional way that most people accept
the habit of always doing things in the traditional way that most people accept and expect, rather than trying new or different ways of behaving
Omar's conventionality showed in his choice to wear a suit and tie to every meeting.
possessive + conventionality + verb (showed in)
The village's conventionality meant that most families ate dinner at exactly six o'clock each evening.
conventionality + that-clause (meant that…)
Kwame found the conventionality of corporate meetings boring and decided to work from home instead.
Lisa questioned the conventionality of owning a house, since renting gave her freedom to travel.
Min's bright clothing was a deliberate break from the conventionality her parents expected.
- tradition
more neutral and can refer to a specific custom; conventionality describes the general quality of following traditions
- conformity
focuses more on following rules and social expectations; often has a stronger sense of passive obedience
- orthodoxy
stronger link to accepted beliefs in religion, politics, or academia; narrower in scope
- conventionalism
more philosophical or academic term for the doctrine that conventions shape our practices
- unconventionality
direct opposite; the quality of not following traditional ways
- originality
focuses on creative new ideas rather than simply breaking rules
- nonconformity
emphasises active refusal to follow expected patterns of behaviour
用法筆記
Frequently appears with a possessive noun or adjective (her conventionality, the school's conventionality). Can carry a slightly critical tone, implying that traditional ways are followed without much thought or originality.