hippiedom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2informal, historical
Quick answer
What does “hippiedom” mean?
The state, sphere, or culture of hippies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state, sphere, or culture of hippies.
The collective lifestyle, values, beliefs, and social practices associated with the hippie counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, often characterized by peace, love, communal living, psychedelic exploration, and rejection of mainstream materialism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term refers to a counterculture that was prominent in both the US and UK.
Connotations
Primarily nostalgic, descriptive, or sometimes mildly pejorative. In both varieties, it can carry connotations of idealism, naivety, or outdated countercultural practices.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. It is a niche, historical term.
Grammar
How to Use “hippiedom” in a Sentence
[verb] + hippiedom (e.g., enter, leave, embrace, reject, satirise)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies contexts to describe the collective phenomenon.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in nostalgic conversation or by older generations.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hippiedom”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hippiedom”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hippiedom”
- Misspelling as 'hippydom' or 'hippidom'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a hippiedom lifestyle' is incorrect; use 'hippie' as an adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised word used primarily in historical or descriptive contexts about the 1960s-70s counterculture.
It would be considered historically inaccurate and potentially confusing. 'Hippiedom' is firmly anchored to the specific historical movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
They are near synonyms. 'Hippiedom' is more abstract, implying a collective state or realm, while 'hippie culture' is a more straightforward descriptive term.
No. The standard spelling retains the '-ie' from 'hippie', resulting in 'hippiedom'.
The state, sphere, or culture of hippies.
Hippiedom is usually informal, historical in register.
Hippiedom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp.i.dəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp.i.dəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HIPPIE + KINGDOM (but with '-dom' instead). The DOMain where hippies live and have their being.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIPPIEDOM IS A PHYSICAL PLACE/REALM (e.g., 'entering hippiedom', 'the heart of hippiedom').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'hippiedom'?