non-standard
Outside the norm
Non-standard describes something that deviates from an established norm or convention.
A non-standard dialect differs from the prestige form of a language.
Non-standard parts don't fit mainstream equipment.
The term is descriptive rather than pejorative—it identifies difference without necessarily implying inferiority: The engine requires non-standard spark plugs.
Distant data point
- aberrationDeviation from the norm
- irregularityDeparture from standard
- exceptionDeviation from standard
- abnormalityDeviation from expected state
oddity · quirk · deviation · variance · inconsistency · divergence · atypical · irregular
Regional language variety
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
- pidginImprovised contact language
creole · patois · jargon · argot · cant · lingo · idiom · regionalism
Another available choice
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- idiosyncraticDistinctively individual in nature
- bohemianArtistic nonconformist type
iconoclastic · maverick · offbeat · outlandish · radical · rebellious · subversive · taboo
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- inventiveShowing original thought
- originalFirst or inventive
novel · imaginative · visionary · groundbreaking · pioneering · boundary-pushing · genre-defying · fresh
outlier
Distant data point
- aberrationDeviation from the norm
- irregularityDeparture from standard
- exceptionDeviation from standard
abnormality · oddity · quirk · deviation · variance · inconsistency · divergence · atypical · irregular · unusual
dialect
Regional language variety
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
pidgin · creole · patois · jargon · argot · cant · lingo · idiom · regionalism · localism
alternative
Another available choice
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- idiosyncraticDistinctively individual in nature
bohemian · iconoclastic · maverick · offbeat · outlandish · radical · rebellious · subversive · taboo · transgressive
experimental
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- inventiveShowing original thought
original · novel · imaginative · visionary · groundbreaking · pioneering · boundary-pushing · genre-defying · fresh · unconventional
non-standardstandard
Level of quality accepted
orthodox · conventional · conforming · normative · regular
non-standardstandard
Level of quality accepted
official · approved · sanctioned · authorized · certified