# hippie

/ˈhɪpi/ (US) · /hˈɪpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hippie
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. counterculture member

noun · CEFR B2

a person who belongs to a group that rejects traditional social rules, often supporting peace and living in a natural way.

For teachers: a participant in a counterculture that rejects conventional social norms in favour of communal living, pacifism, and environmentalism.

- In the 1960s, many hippies moved to the countryside to live in communes.
- The festival became a landmark event for the hippie movement, drawing thousands of young people who advocated for radical social change and peace.

Usage: Often used to refer specifically to the 1960s and 70s cultural movement.

### 2. unkempt person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who has long hair and looks messy or untidy.

For teachers: a derogatory label for an individual perceived as unkempt, lazy, or having an unconventional appearance, regardless of their actual political beliefs.

- My grandfather told my brother to get a haircut so he wouldn't look like a hippie.
- The manager dismissed the applicant as a hippie based solely on his long hair and casual attire, ignoring his impressive technical qualifications.

Teaching tip: In modern contexts, this is often used as an insult to suggest someone is disorganized or lacks hygiene.

### 3. unconventional or natural

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

relating to hippies or their style, often meaning very natural or not following normal rules.

For teachers: pertaining to the lifestyle, fashion, or values of hippies; often used to describe organic or alternative products.

- She wears a lot of hippie clothes like long skirts and handmade jewellery.
- The shop sells various hippie items, including incense, tie-dye shirts, and organic herbal teas.

## Examples

- My uncle was a hippie who lived in a van during the sixties.
- The festival was full of modern hippies wearing tie-dye shirts and talking about organic farming.
- While the original movement peaked in the late 1960s, the hippie aesthetic continues to influence contemporary fashion and alternative lifestyles centered on communal living and environmental sustainability.

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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.