hipster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, sometimes pejorative
Quick answer
What does “hipster” mean?
A person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially in alternative culture, fashion, music, and food, often ironically or with an air of exclusivity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially in alternative culture, fashion, music, and food, often ironically or with an air of exclusivity.
A member of a subculture characterized by a self-conscious rejection of mainstream values, consumption of niche or ironically appreciated products, and specific aesthetics (e.g., beards, tattoos, vintage clothing, craft beer). Also, historically, a 1940s–50s jazz enthusiast or aficionado.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is more strongly associated with American urban culture, but the modern subculture and the term are fully established in the UK.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, though perhaps slightly more ironic/ detached in British usage.
Frequency
High frequency in informal media and lifestyle discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hipster” in a Sentence
[adjective] hipsterhipster [noun]the [geographical area] hipsterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hipster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "To hipster" is not a standard verb.
American English
- "To hipster" is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- "Hipsterly" is not a standard adverb.
American English
- "Hipsterly" is not a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- That new pop-up has a very hipster feel to it.
- He's into all that hipster coffee, you know, single-origin pour-overs.
American English
- We checked out this hipster brewery in Brooklyn.
- She's got a hipster vibe with her thrift-store coat and thick glasses.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing and branding to target a demographic (e.g., 'hipster-friendly brand').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, sociology, and media analysis to discuss subcultures and consumption.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, social media, and lifestyle journalism, often descriptively or critically.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hipster”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hipster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hipster”
- Confusing 'hipster' (modern) with 'hippie' (historical 1960s movement).
- Using it as a formal descriptor in academic writing without defining its contemporary meaning.
- Overusing the term to describe anyone with alternative tastes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hippie belongs to the 1960s-70s counterculture movement focused on peace, love, and anti-establishment values. A hipster (modern sense) is a 21st-century urban subculture focused on curated, often ironic consumption and alternative aesthetics.
It is context-dependent. It can be a neutral descriptor or a critical label implying pretentiousness, inauthenticity, or gentrification. It is rarely an unqualified compliment.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'a hipster neighborhood,' 'hipster glasses'). It functions as a noun modifier or a descriptive adjective in casual language.
It first appeared in the 1940s to describe aficionados of jazz and the associated 'hip' slang and lifestyle. The modern revival and redefinition of the term began in the early 2000s.
A person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially in alternative culture, fashion, music, and food, often ironically or with an air of exclusivity.
Hipster is usually informal, sometimes pejorative in register.
Hipster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp.stə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪp.stɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hipster irony”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hip' (cool, trendy) + '-ster' (like in 'hipster', 'gangster' – a person associated with something). A hipster is a person associated with being hip.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIPSTER IS A PERFORMER OF AUTHENTICITY (The subculture is often seen as a performance of 'being different' or 'authentic').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is LEAST likely to be associated with the modern 'hipster' stereotype?