conventional wisdom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, academic, journalistic, and business contexts. It is used critically to question or describe established norms.
Quick answer
What does “conventional wisdom” mean?
A widely accepted, traditional, or customary belief or opinion about how the world works, often unexamined and taken for granted within a particular society or group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A widely accepted, traditional, or customary belief or opinion about how the world works, often unexamined and taken for granted within a particular society or group.
The generally held, orthodox perspective on a topic, often based on historical precedent, collective experience, or societal norms rather than on rigorous analysis or fresh evidence. It represents the "common sense" or established way of thinking that guides decision-making and judgment within a specific context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in meaning and frequency. The phrase is slightly more common in American political and economic journalism.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies a degree of passive acceptance and potential intellectual laziness. The phrase sets up a contrast between 'what everyone thinks' and 'what is actually true or innovative.'
Frequency
High frequency in opinion pieces, analytical reports, and critiques across all Anglophone media.
Grammar
How to Use “conventional wisdom” in a Sentence
[Subject] challenges/defies conventional wisdomConventional wisdom has it/says/suggests that [clause]To go against conventional wisdomVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conventional wisdom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The researcher's findings completely upended the conventional wisdom on early childhood development.
- Politicians are often reluctant to challenge the conventional wisdom of their party.
American English
- The CEO made a fortune by betting against the conventional wisdom on Wall Street.
- His latest book seeks to dismantle the conventional wisdom about healthy eating.
adverb
British English
- The minister spoke conventional-wisdom-ly, offering no new solutions to the crisis.
- (Note: This adverbial form is extremely rare and awkward; it's better to rephrase.)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb. Standard phrasing would be 'in line with conventional wisdom' or 'according to conventional wisdom'.)
adjective
British English
- The conventional-wisdom view was that the referendum would never pass.
- He offered a refreshing alternative to the conventional-wisdom approach to foreign policy.
American English
- Their strategy was a direct rejection of conventional-wisdom thinking in the industry.
- The article presented a compelling critique of the conventional-wisdom narrative.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing market strategies, management practices, or industry norms that are being disrupted (e.g., 'The startup's success defied the conventional wisdom about needing a large marketing budget.').
Academic
Used in social sciences, history, and philosophy to critique dominant paradigms or historiographical trends (e.g., 'Her thesis overturned the conventional wisdom about the causes of the economic crisis.').
Everyday
Less common. Might be used in discussions about parenting, diet, or lifestyle trends (e.g., 'The conventional wisdom says to eat three meals a day, but intermittent fasting has become popular.').
Technical
Used in fields like economics ('efficient market hypothesis') or public policy to describe the consensus view before new data emerges.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conventional wisdom”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conventional wisdom”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conventional wisdom”
- Using it as a synonym for 'common sense' without the critical layer (common sense is often seen as innate, conventional wisdom is learned).
- Using it in a purely positive way (e.g., 'We should follow conventional wisdom' – this is possible but less common; the phrase typically frames the wisdom as something to be questioned).
- Confusing it with 'conventional knowledge' (which is more about factual information).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both refer to widely held ideas, 'common sense' implies practical, innate judgment shared by most people. 'Conventional wisdom' refers to beliefs that have become standard through repetition and social acceptance, often within a specific field or culture, and it is frequently used when those beliefs are being questioned.
Yes, it can be neutral or positive when describing a reliable, time-tested principle (e.g., 'Conventional wisdom advises saving at least 10% of your income'). However, its most distinctive and frequent use is in contexts where that wisdom is being scrutinized, challenged, or proven inadequate.
It functions as a compound noun. It is typically used as the subject or object of a sentence (e.g., 'Conventional wisdom is changing,' 'He challenged conventional wisdom').
The term was popularized in its modern critical sense by the American economist John Kenneth Galbraith in his 1958 book 'The Affluent Society.' He used it to describe ideas that are comfortable and accepted regardless of their truth.
A widely accepted, traditional, or customary belief or opinion about how the world works, often unexamined and taken for granted within a particular society or group.
Conventional wisdom is usually formal, academic, journalistic, and business contexts. it is used critically to question or describe established norms. in register.
Conventional wisdom: in British English it is pronounced /kənˌvɛnʃənəl ˈwɪzdəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˌvɛnʃənəl ˈwɪzdəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The wisdom of the crowd (related, but distinct)”
- “To swim against the tide (similar concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONVENTION (a large, formal meeting where everyone dresses and thinks similarly). CONVENTIONAL WISDOM is the 'wisdom' everyone at that convention would agree on—it's the standard, group-think position.
Conceptual Metaphor
WISDOM IS A SOLID OBJECT/STRUCTURE (to challenge, overturn, shatter); THINKING IS A PATH (conventional wisdom is the well-worn, main path; innovation is going off the beaten track).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'conventional wisdom' most likely used critically?