traditional

word · lemma: tradition

/tɹəˈdɪʃənəɫ/
truh-DI-shuh-nuhl
/tɹɐdˈɪʃənəl/
truh-DI-shuh-nuhl

Definition

Following old customs, beliefs, or ways of doing things that have existed for a long time. It can describe culture, food, clothing, ideas, or attitudes.

Usage & Nuances

Often positive when talking about culture or food ('traditional music', 'traditional dish'), but it can sound conservative or old-fashioned in topics like gender roles or education. Common pairs: 'traditional values', 'traditional clothing', 'traditional method'. Do not confuse it with 'typical', which means common, not inherited from the past.

Example Sentences

We ate a traditional meal on the holiday.

basic

We went with a more traditional design because it won't look dated in a few years.

natural

He's pretty traditional when it comes to how a business should be run.

natural

She wore traditional clothes to the wedding.

basic

My grandfather likes traditional music.

basic

Their family is pretty traditional, so they still celebrate every holiday together.

natural