WordValeconvention
a widely accepted practice
In more detail
1. (noun) a way of behaving or doing something that is accepted and expected by most people in a society
2. (noun) a large formal meeting or gathering of people who share the same interests or profession
Examples
- 1. It is a convention to shake hands when you meet someone for the first time.
- 2. She attended the annual teachers' convention to learn about new teaching methods.
How to use convention
Convention refers either to an accepted social norm or behavioral standard (often implying conformity), or to a formal gathering of professionals or enthusiasts. In the first sense, it emphasizes what society expects; in the second, it denotes a specific event. The word can carry a neutral or slightly critical tone depending on context.
Common phrases
- social convention
- break convention
- convention center
- industry convention
- follow convention
- violate a convention
Synonyms
custom · tradition · norm · practice · standard
Opposites
novelty · innovation
Word family
conventional · conventionality · conventionally · unconventional
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse convention with invention or innovation, or fail to distinguish between the social norm sense and the gathering sense in context.
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