conventions

Customary ways followed

Conventions are established practices or customs that groups follow without formal rules requiring them.

Writing has its conventions (spelling, punctuation), as do social situations (shaking hands, saying "bless you").

A convention is also a large gathering of people with shared interests: the annual comic book convention, the Democratic National Convention.

In art, conventions are accepted techniques or devices: the conventions of the detective genre.

norms

customs

Traditional practices or import taxes

traditionsLong-established customs passed down
standardsAccepted levels of quality
practicesRepeated training sessions

expectations · mores · unwritten rules · conformity · taboos · folkways · codes · mainstream · orthodoxy · status quo

etiquette

manners

Customs of polite conduct

courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
decorumFitting social conduct

propriety · protocol · formality · civility · respectfulness · deference · tact · graciousness · diplomacy · decency

agreements

treaty

Binding pact between nations

pactFormal agreement between parties
accordHarmony between parties
compactTightly packed together

protocol · charter · covenant · ratification · signatory · Geneva · Hague · international law · diplomatic · multilateral

gatherings

conference

Organized meeting for discussion

symposiumFormal expert discussion meeting
summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
assemblyConstructing from components

convocation · colloquium · forum · seminar · workshop · roundtable · panel · expo · trade show · meetup

artistic

tropes

Recurring thematic conventions

clichésOverused expressions lacking originality
formulasSymbolic rules for calculation
motifsRecurring thematic elements

archetypes · genre · narrative structure · storytelling · symbolism · imagery · metaphor · literary device · stock characters · plot devices

Categories

electionsballot, ballots, voter registration, candidates, polls
ruleslaw, rule, guideline, bylaw, standard
standardsstandard, standards, norm, norms, criterion
board gaminggame nights, local clubs, collectors, wargamers, tournament players
global governanceUN, United Nations, EU, World Bank, IMF
fanworksfanfic, fan fiction, fanfiction, fan art, fanart

Opposites

social norms and customs

conventionsunconventionality

Departure from accepted standards

nonconformity · eccentricity · taboos · rebellion · iconoclasm

formality and rules

conventionslaws

Enforceable societal rules

statutes · mandates · regulations · edicts · decrees

originality and creativity

conventionsinnovation

Creating something original

originality · experimentation · avant-garde · creativity · novelty

Phrases

convention centreFacility hosting large gatherings
national conventionsGatherings to nominate candidates
conventional wisdomGenerally accepted beliefs
convention centerFacility for large gatherings
spelling conventionsRules for writing words correctly
convention floor

Family

convention, conventional, unconventional, conventionality, conventionalism, unconventionally, nonconventional, convention center

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G