subculture: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral academic, sociological, and journalistic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “subculture” mean?
A distinct cultural group existing within a larger, dominant culture, sharing beliefs, interests, and practices that differentiate it from the mainstream.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distinct cultural group existing within a larger, dominant culture, sharing beliefs, interests, and practices that differentiate it from the mainstream.
The values, norms, behaviors, and material objects associated with such a group; can refer to corporate, online, or age-based subgroups as well as traditional countercultural movements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; concept and usage are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with academic sociology in UK usage; in US, also common in media/popular discourse.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “subculture” in a Sentence
subculture of [noun]subculture within [noun]subculture among [noun]subculture that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “subculture” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The punk subculture had a significant impact on British fashion in the late 1970s.
- A vibrant online subculture has formed around that video game.
- The study examined the subculture of long-distance lorry drivers.
American English
- The hip-hop subculture originated in the Bronx in the 1970s.
- Silicon Valley has its own distinct corporate subculture.
- He was fascinated by the subculture of competitive barbecue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to distinct groups within a company, e.g., 'The engineering team developed its own subculture of intense collaboration.'
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies to analyze groups defined by age, music, fashion, or ideology.
Everyday
Used to describe groups like skateboarders, online forum members, or fans of a specific music genre.
Technical
In microbiology, a culture derived from another culture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “subculture”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “subculture”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “subculture”
- Using 'subculture' to mean just a 'hobby' or 'interest' without the shared identity component. Pluralizing as 'subcultures' when referring to a single group's collective traits (uncountable sense).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A subculture exists within a mainstream culture and may not oppose it. A counterculture actively rejects mainstream values and seeks to change them (e.g., hippie movement).
No, 'subculture' is almost exclusively a noun. The related verb in microbiology is 'to subculture' (to transfer a microbial culture to a new medium).
It is generally a neutral, descriptive term used in academia and journalism. Context determines connotation; it can be seen positively (as a site of creativity) or negatively (as deviant).
A 'community' is broader, often based on location or shared interest. A 'subculture' implies a stronger, distinct set of symbolic elements (style, slang, rituals) that define it against a mainstream culture.
A distinct cultural group existing within a larger, dominant culture, sharing beliefs, interests, and practices that differentiate it from the mainstream.
Subculture is usually formal to neutral academic, sociological, and journalistic contexts. in register.
Subculture: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌbˌkʌltʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌbˌkʌltʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A subculture of its own”
- “To spawn a subculture”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUB (under) + CULTURE. A culture existing under (within) the main culture.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURE IS AN ECOSYSTEM (with subcultures as niches or microclimates).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'subculture'?