English Reference
Noun

subculture

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈsəbˌkəɫtʃɝ/ UK /sˈʌbkʌltʃɐ/ sub·cul·ture UK spelling subculture's, subculture's, subcultured Biology

n.a group of people within a larger culture that has its own special beliefs, styles, or ways of living. In biology, it refers to a smaller group of organisms that live together in a specific way.

n.a distinct group within a larger culture or biological community that maintains its own unique characteristics or social norms. In a biological context, it refers to a population of organisms that shares a specific habitat or lifestyle.


SIMPLE

The local subculture of street artists has grown very popular.

CONTEXTUAL

Researchers identified a unique subculture of bacteria that thrives in the extreme heat of the geothermal vents.

COMPLEX

While the dominant species dominates the canopy, a specialized subculture of epiphytes has evolved to flourish in the humid microclimate of the forest floor.

Past works include a project exploring the rising popularity around the globe of the youth subculture of cosplay.

The Guardian· 22 Aug 2026

From sub- + culture.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated