Definition

A person, typically young and urban, who adopts or claims to adopt countercultural or alternative aesthetics and interests, often before they become mainstream. The term is frequently used disparagingly to describe perceived pretentiousness or affected authenticity.

Example Usage

He moved to a trendy neighborhood and became a hipster, sporting vintage clothes and only drinking craft coffee.

Origin

From the 1940s jazz slang 'hip' (aware, knowledgeable), evolving through beatnik culture to describe a modern subcultural identity by the 2000s.

Fun Fact

The term is often self-rejected by people to whom it's applied, making 'hipster' more of an external label than an adopted identity.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)