subculture
SUB-kul-cher
/ˈsʌbkʌltʃər/
A cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture.
A subculture isn't necessarily 'against' the main culture; it just has its own unique set of norms, language, and style.
The story behind the word. The word 'subculture' is a 20th-century creation, combining the Latin 'sub' (under) with 'culture.' It suggests a layer of social life that exists 'beneath' the surface of the dominant society. Just as a 'subway' runs under the city streets, a subculture runs under the 'mainstream' streets of life.
Word relationships
- counterculture: A counterculture is a subculture that explicitly opposes and tries to change the mainstream culture.
- clique: A clique is a small, exclusive group of friends, whereas a subculture is a broader social category.
- mainstream: The mainstream is the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people.
Commonly confused with
- culture: Culture is the overarching set of beliefs for a whole society; subculture is a specific slice of that society.
Collocations
- youth subculture
- vibrant subculture
- underground subculture
Idioms & expressions
- a world within a world
Example sentences
- "The punk subculture of the 1970s used fashion and music to express their rejection of mainstream societal values." Discussing youth movements.
- "Online gaming has developed its own complex subculture, complete with its own slang, etiquette, and hierarchy." In a sociological study of the internet.
Memory hook
A 'sub' (under) 'culture' is a world living under the main one. The world below.
When not to use
Do not use 'subculture' to describe a whole country or a major religion; it refers to a smaller niche group.
Fun facts
- The study of subcultures took off in the 1920s with the 'Chicago School' of sociology, which studied jazz musicians, gangs, and homeless 'hobo' communities.
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.