hipsterism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, often journalistic or sociological
Quick answer
What does “hipsterism” mean?
The state, style, or quality of being a hipster.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state, style, or quality of being a hipster; the cultural practices, attitudes, and material culture associated with hipsters.
More broadly, it can denote any lifestyle, belief system, or cultural trend characterised by self-conscious non-conformity, ironic detachment, and the pursuit of niche or non-mainstream tastes, often perceived as pretentious or faddish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition. The cultural referents (specific neighbourhoods, brands, music) within examples may differ.
Connotations
Slightly stronger association with urban gentrification and middle-class appropriation in UK usage. In the US, it's more historically linked to earlier bohemian movements.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both dialects, common in similar media contexts (culture blogs, opinion pieces).
Grammar
How to Use “hipsterism” in a Sentence
The N of hipsterismhipsterism in [place/field]a critique/criticism of hipsterismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hipsterism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form. Periphrastic: 'to act like a hipster'.
- The area got hipsterised over the last decade.
American English
- No standard verb form. Periphrastic: 'to hipster out'.
- They decided to hipsterify the old warehouse.
adverb
British English
- hipsterishly
- He dressed hipsterishly for the themed party.
American English
- [No common adverb]. Periphrastic: 'in a hipster way'.
- The café was decorated very hipsterishly.
adjective
British English
- hipsterish
- hipster-esque
- His look was decidedly hipsterish.
American English
- hipstery
- hipster-like
- That bar has a very hipstery vibe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing or trend-analysis reports (e.g., 'Brands are capitalising on urban hipsterism').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, sociology, or media criticism papers analysing contemporary subcultures.
Everyday
Used critically or humorously in conversation to describe a certain style or attitude (e.g., 'The hipsterism in that café is overwhelming').
Technical
Not used in technical fields like engineering or medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hipsterism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hipsterism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hipsterism”
- Using 'hipsterism' to describe an individual person (prefer 'He is a hipster'). Confusing it with historical 'hipster' (1940s jazz enthusiast).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily used in a neutral descriptive or critical sense. When used critically, it implies pretentiousness, faddishness, and a lack of authenticity.
'Hipster' refers to the individual person. 'Hipsterism' refers to the collective culture, style, attitudes, and commercial ecosystem associated with hipsters as a social group.
It is acceptable in formal writing within specific disciplines like sociology, cultural studies, or journalism, where it is a defined subject of analysis. It is not generally used in highly formal, technical, or legal contexts.
While the early 21st-century 'hipster' is recent, the term 'hipster' dates to the 1940s jazz scene, and the concept of a young, style-conscious non-conformist subculture has many historical predecessors (e.g., dandies, flappers, beatniks).
The state, style, or quality of being a hipster.
Hipsterism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪpstərɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪpstərˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HIPster + ISM. An 'ISM' is a doctrine or system (like socialism). HIPSTERISM is the system or culture of being hip.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURE IS A DISEASE / FASHION IS A RELIGION (e.g., 'an outbreak of hipsterism', 'the gospel of hipsterism').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'hipsterism' MOST likely to be used?