Word
counterculture
Phoneticscoun·ter·cul·ture, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkaʊnɝˌkəɫtʃɝ/
UK/kˈaʊntəkˌʌltʃɐ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a way of living and thinking that goes against the normal rules of society, especially among young people. You use it for groups that reject mainstream ideas about work, music, clothes, or politics.
n. a social movement or set of values that actively rejects dominant cultural norms, often linked to youth, artistic experimentation, and political dissent. Most strongly associated with the 1960s, though applied to later movements with a similar oppositional stance.
Examples
“The town has a strong counterculture art scene.”
“In the 1960s, the counterculture rejected office jobs and embraced rock music, communal living, and protest marches.”
“What began as student protest hardened into a lasting counterculture that reshaped fashion, language, and attitudes toward authority long after the demonstrations ended.”
Examples
simple
“The town has a strong counterculture art scene.”
contextual
“In the 1960s, the counterculture rejected office jobs and embraced rock music, communal living, and protest marches.”
complex
“What began as student protest hardened into a lasting counterculture that reshaped fashion, language, and attitudes toward authority long after the demonstrations ended.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “counterculture” in context.
Verb
01. counterculture emerges
“Counterculture often emerges during periods of political unrest and change.”
noun + verb
02. counterculture fades
“Counterculture faded as many activists were absorbed into mainstream politics.”
noun + verb
03. counterculture thrives
“Counterculture thrives in neighbourhoods with cheap rents and live venues.”
noun + verb
04. embody counterculture
“The festival continues to embody counterculture through art and activism.”
verb + noun
05. embrace counterculture
“Many students embraced counterculture as a rejection of corporate careers.”
verb + noun
06. fuel counterculture
“Opposition to the war helped fuel counterculture on university campuses.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. 1960s counterculture
“The exhibition explores music and protest in 1960s counterculture.”
adj + noun
08. hippie counterculture
“Hippie counterculture rejected consumerism in favour of communal living.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. history of counterculture
“This course traces the history of counterculture from the beats to punk.”
noun + prep + noun
10. icon of counterculture
“She became an icon of counterculture after her protest songs spread widely.”
noun + prep + noun
11. at the heart of counterculture
“Live music venues were at the heart of counterculture in the city.”
12. embrace the counterculture lifestyle
“After graduation, they embraced the counterculture lifestyle and joined a commune.”
Real-World Examples
“While her peers were protesting, taking drugs or embracing early 70s counterculture, Smith married the actor Roger Davis – famous, she writes, for his role in Dark Shadows, the “daytime vampire-themed soap opera”.” “I think AI could absolutely trigger a literary counterculture,” says Robson.” “Described by the popular 2018 Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country , this movement was known for blending Eastern philosophy with American counterculture.” “Although hardly the belief of everyone, this conception of human life prepared the way for the counterculture’s celebration of “authenticity” during the 1960s, with all of its continuing fallout for American society.” Etymology
From counter- + culture.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/counterculture