# counterculture

/ˈkaʊnɝˌkəɫtʃɝ/ (US) · /kˈaʊntəkˌʌltʃɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/counterculture
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.