conventionalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; Academic
Quick answer
What does “conventionalism” mean?
the adherence to accepted standards, customs, and traditional forms, especially in art, behaviour, or thought.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the adherence to accepted standards, customs, and traditional forms, especially in art, behaviour, or thought.
1. (Philosophy) The doctrine that abstract or general concepts have no reality beyond their representation in language or social practice. 2. (Ethics/Sociology) The prioritisation of established social norms and practices over individual innovation or natural instinct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The term is used identically in both academic and formal registers.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British discourse regarding social etiquette. In American academic writing, it may be slightly more frequent in discussions of legal or political theory.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, almost exclusively found in academic, critical, or philosophical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conventionalism” in a Sentence
[Subject]'s conventionalismthe conventionalism of [Noun Phrase]a break with conventionalismadherence to conventionalismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conventionalism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The artist refused to conventionalise her style for the gallery.
American English
- The process was conventionalized over decades of practice.
adverb
British English
- The room was decorated quite conventionalistically.
American English
- He argued conventionalistically for the established protocol.
adjective
British English
- His views were disappointingly conventionalist.
American English
- She critiqued the conventionalist approach to ethics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used critically: 'The company's failure was due to an ingrained conventionalism that stifled new ideas.'
Academic
Common. Key term in philosophy (e.g., Poincaré's conventionalism in geometry), art criticism, and sociology.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Specific, defined meaning in philosophy of science and ethics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conventionalism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conventionalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conventionalism”
- Misspelling as 'conventionlism' (missing 'a').
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'tradition' (it is the *adherence* to tradition/convention).
- Pronouncing it with a strong stress on 'ven' instead of the second syllable: /kənˈvɛn.../.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically neutral in academic use but often carries a critical or negative connotation in general discourse, implying a lack of originality or excessive rigidity.
'Conventionality' is the quality of being conventional (common). 'Conventionalism' is the *practice* or *doctrine* of adhering to conventions, often implying a conscious principle or a systematic adherence.
Rarely. It might be used positively by someone valuing stability and tradition, e.g., 'The constitutional conventionalism of the system provided crucial stability.' However, 'traditionalism' is more common for positive use.
Realism or essentialism—the belief that certain concepts or principles reflect an objective reality independent of human agreement or language.
the adherence to accepted standards, customs, and traditional forms, especially in art, behaviour, or thought.
Conventionalism is usually formal; academic in register.
Conventionalism: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈvɛnʃ(ə)nəˌlɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈvɛn(t)ʃənəˌlɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with this exact word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONVENTION (a large, formal meeting) where everyone wears the same suit. CONVENTION-al-ISM is the 'ism' or philosophy of doing what everyone at the convention does.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PRISON (of conventions); TRADITION IS A STRAITJACKET.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'conventionalism' a specific technical doctrine?