Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unconventional” come from?

Unconventional derives from English conventional, which combines English convention from Latin conventionālis, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European kom meaning "together."

unconventional (English): Not adhering to convention or accepted standards;...

Definitions

  1. Not adhering to convention or accepted standards;...

Ancestry of “unconventional”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconventionalPertaining to a convention, as in following...
2Frenchconventionnelconventional; conventionalist, conventionnel
3Frenchconventionconvention, agreement; convention
4Middle Frenchconvention—
5Latinconventiō—
6Latinconveniō—
7Latincōn-—
8Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
9Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
10Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
12Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
13Middle Englishkyt—
14Germankitt—
15Old High Germankuti—
16Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
17Proto-Germanickweduzresin
18Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
19Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “unconventional”

  • unconventionally
  • unconventionalness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →