VocabDictionary

nonconformity

/ˌnɑːnkənˈfɔːrməti/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Failure or refusal to conform to a prevailing rule, standard, belief, or practice; unconventionality.

Example Sentences:
  • Her nonconformity in dress and lifestyle made her a target for gossip in the conservative town.
  • The artist's life was defined by a fierce nonconformity to societal expectations.
2.noun

Refusal to conform to the doctrines, discipline, or practices of an established church, especially the Church of England.

Example Sentences:
  • The history of English nonconformity is marked by a long struggle for religious tolerance.
  • He was prosecuted for his nonconformity to the Act of Uniformity.
3.noun

A geological unconformity in which stratified sedimentary rocks rest on older, eroded igneous or metamorphic rocks.

Example Sentences:
  • The Grand Canyon features a famous nonconformity where the Tapeats Sandstone lies directly on the Vishnu Schist.
  • Geologists studied the nonconformity to understand the massive gap in the region's chronological record.
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Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “nonconformity”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

From the prefix 'non-' (not) combined with 'conformity', which originates from the Old French 'conformite' and Latin 'conformare' (to shape, fashion, or likeness), from 'com-' (together) + 'formare' (to form). Historically, the term gained prominence in 17th-century England to describe Protestants who refused to conform to the doctrines and practices of the established Church of England.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Break it down: 'Non' (not) + 'Conform' (to match others) + 'ity' (noun state). It is the state of NOT matching or blending in with the crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions About “nonconformity

1. What is the meaning of “nonconformity” in English?

In English, nonconformity (noun) is defined as: “Failure or refusal to conform to a prevailing rule, standard, belief, or practice; unconventionality.”.

2. How do you use “nonconformity” in a sentence?

Her nonconformity in dress and lifestyle made her a target for gossip in the conservative town.

3. What are English synonyms of “nonconformity”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “nonconformity”?

From the prefix 'non-' (not) combined with 'conformity', which originates from the Old French 'conformite' and Latin 'conformare' (to shape, fashion, or likeness), from 'com-' (together) + 'formare' (to form). Historically, the term gained prominence in 17th-century England to describe Protestants who refused to conform to the doctrines and practices of the established Church of England.