traditionalists
traditionalists — noun
- traditionalistssingular
- traditionalistsesplural
1. A person who supports established customs and ways of doing things, especially w
A person who supports established customs and ways of doing things, especially when these are opposed to newer, more modern approaches.
A group of traditionalists protested against the new school curriculum, arguing that classic literature should still be taught.
countable noun: a traditionalist + verb (protested)
As a traditionalist, Gita insists on celebrating every festival exactly as her grandparents did decades ago.
The village elders are traditionalists who believe young people should follow the customs of their ancestors.
Eli is a traditionalist when it comes to weddings, wanting old rituals instead of a modern service.
- conservative
broader term — describes someone cautious about change in general, not just tradition
- conformist
emphasizes following social norms rather than actively valuing tradition
文法句型
a [adjective] traditionalist
traditionalist + verb
用法筆記
Often used in discussions about cultural, religious, or political change to describe someone who resists modern developments.
常見錯誤
traditionalists — adjective
- traditionalistspositive
- more traditionalistscomparative
- most traditionalistssuperlative
1. Holding or showing a strong preference for established customs and older ways of
Holding or showing a strong preference for established customs and older ways of living, especially in contrast to modern changes.
Erik holds traditionalist views on family values and believes that parents should raise their children at home.
attributive: traditionalist views / values / beliefs
The traditionalist members of the community rejected the proposal to build a modern shopping centre in the historic district.
Adisa comes from a traditionalist family where the eldest son is expected to take over the family business.
Camille's grandmother is very traditionalist about food and refuses to use any frozen or pre-packaged ingredients in her kitchen.
- conservative
wider scope — covers political caution, not just tradition
- orthodox
implies strict adherence to established doctrine, often religious
- progressive
open to new ideas and social change
- liberal
open to change and modern values
文法句型
traditionalist + noun (views, values, family)
be traditionalist about + noun
用法筆記
Describes people, groups, and their beliefs or attitudes. Compare with the UNCHANGING METHOD sense, which describes methods or styles rather than people.
常見錯誤
2. Carried out or made using a long-established method that has remained unchanged
Carried out or made using a long-established method that has remained unchanged over time, without adopting newer techniques.
The bakery still uses a traditionalist method of bread-making, letting the dough rise naturally for a full day.
collocation: traditionalist method / approach / technique
Jin prefers a traditionalist classroom setup with rows of wooden desks all facing the blackboard.
The hotel was decorated in a traditionalist style, with dark wooden furniture and thick red velvet curtains.
Allison chose a traditionalist design for her kitchen, featuring a farmhouse sink and hand-painted ceramic tiles on the walls.
- old-fashioned
more casual and can imply outdatedness; less neutral than 'traditionalist'
- time-honoured
positive connotation — suggests the method is respected because of its long history
- modern
using up-to-date methods or designs
- innovative
using new, creative approaches rather than old ones
文法句型
traditionalist + noun (method, style, design, approach)
用法筆記
Typically describes methods, designs, styles, or approaches, not people. Distinguish from the TRADITION-VALUING sense, which describes a person's beliefs.