Onconventionele

Onconventionele is a Dutch adjective that translates to “unconventional” in English. It is used to describe actions, ideas, styles, or behaviours that deviate from established norms, traditions or accepted standards. In Dutch the word is formed from the prefix on‑, indicating negation, and the adjective conventioneel, which derives from the Latin conventio “a gathering, agreement”. The term appears in a range of contexts, including art, literature, education, business and social movements, where it signals a deliberate break from customary practices.

The lexical entry for onconventioneel is recorded in major Dutch dictionaries such as the Van Dale and the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal. It is classified as a regular adjective, with the comparative form onconventiëler and the superlative onconventiëlst. In usage the word is frequently paired with nouns like method, aanpak (approach), gedachte (thought), of stijl (style), for example: “een onconventionele onderwijs­methode” (an unconventional teaching method).

In academic discourse on cultural change, onconventionele practices are examined for their role in innovation and social transformation. Scholars note that what is considered onconventioneel can shift over time as new ideas become mainstream. The concept also appears in media and popular culture, often in reviews or commentary that highlight creativity or radical departure from tradition. Despite its negative connotation in some contexts, the term is generally neutral, merely indicating divergence from the conventional rather than assigning value.