Definition

1. Noun:
   • A youth subculture (mostly from the middle class) originating in San Francisco in the 1960s: This group advocated for universal love, peace, communal living, long hair, and the use of soft drugs. They favored music genres like acid rock and progressive rock.

Usage

• The term "hipsters" specifically refers to members of this historical countercultural movement. It is used as a plural noun to describe the group collectively.
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• While the core definition refers to the 1960s subculture, the term has evolved. In contemporary informal usage, "hipsters" can refer to a modern subculture focused on independent music, non-mainstream fashion, and alternative lifestyles. However, this is a distinct, later development of the word.
  • Modern hipsters are often associated with urban neighborhoods, artisanal goods, and vintage clothing.

Variants and Related Words

• Hipster (singular noun): A single member of this subculture.
  • He was a true hipster, living in a commune and attending peace rallies.
• Hippie (noun): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "hipster" in the context of the 1960s counterculture.

Synonyms

• Hippies: The most direct synonym for the 1960s subculture.
• Bohemians: Suggests a person with an unconventional lifestyle, often in artistic circles, which overlaps with the hipster ethos.
• Nonconformists: A broader term for those who reject mainstream norms and values.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Hipster culture: Refers to the collective values, styles, and practices associated with hipsters.
  • The coffee shop was a center of hipster culture.
• Hipster aesthetic: Describes the distinctive visual style, often involving vintage clothing, thick-rimmed glasses, and a curated, ironic appearance (primarily in the modern context).
  • Her apartment had a definite hipster aesthetic.

Noun

1. a youth subculture (mostly from the middle class) originating in San Francisco in the 1960s; advocated universal love and peace and communes and long hair and soft drugs; favored acid rock and progressive rock music