counterculture: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Sociological
Quick answer
What does “counterculture” mean?
A culture, especially of young people, with values or lifestyles that oppose those of the established mainstream culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A culture, especially of young people, with values or lifestyles that oppose those of the established mainstream culture.
Any social movement, collective identity, or set of practices that consciously rejects and stands in opposition to prevailing societal norms, dominant beliefs, and institutional structures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. The term is used identically.
Connotations
In the UK, it may more readily evoke the 1960s mods/rockers or punk movements. In the US, primary connotation is the 1960s hippie movement and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the centrality of the 1960s US counterculture in global discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “counterculture” in a Sentence
[counterculture] + of + [group/era]the + [adjective] + [counterculture]to be/embody/represent a [counterculture]a shift towards [counterculture]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “counterculture” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some sociologists argue that new media platforms allow communities to counter-culture more effectively.
American English
- The group sought to counterculture the dominant narratives through street art and zines.
adverb
British English
- The magazine was published counter-culturally, rejecting all commercial advertising.
American English
- They lived quite counterculturally, off the grid and self-sufficient.
adjective
British English
- His counter-cultural views made him unpopular with the traditional board members.
American English
- She was deeply involved in the countercultural press of the era.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in marketing to describe targeting anti-establishment demographics (e.g., 'counterculture branding').
Academic
Common in sociology, history, cultural studies to analyse social movements and resistance.
Everyday
Used in discussions about history, social trends, or generational differences.
Technical
Used precisely in sociological and anthropological texts to denote oppositional subcultures with explicit ideologies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “counterculture”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “counterculture”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “counterculture”
- Using it for any mildly different subculture (e.g., 'gaming counterculture'). It requires a conscious, oppositional stance.
- Spelling as two separate words ('counter culture'). It is a solid compound noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but historically it has been strongly associated with youth movements due to their role in challenging established norms.
Yes, elements of a counterculture (e.g., fashion, music, some values) can be co-opted by the mainstream, which often leads to the movement's decline or transformation.
A subculture is a group with distinct norms within a larger culture, not necessarily in opposition. A counterculture is a type of subculture that actively opposes the dominant culture's central values.
No, it is descriptive. It can be used positively by its adherents (as progressive) and negatively by its critics (as destructive), but in academic and formal use it is neutral.
A culture, especially of young people, with values or lifestyles that oppose those of the established mainstream culture.
Counterculture is usually formal, academic, sociological in register.
Counterculture: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.təˌkʌl.tʃər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚˌkʌl.tʃɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A child of the counterculture”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think COUNTER (against) + CULTURE. It's the culture that goes 'counter to' or against the mainstream one.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BATTLEFIELD (the counterculture 'fights' the mainstream), MAINSTREAM IS A FLOW/RIVER (counterculture goes 'against the current').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is LEAST synonymous with 'counterculture' in its strict sense?