alternative music

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv myoo-zik] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv ˈmyu zɪk /

noun

1. music that is outside the mainstream and does not conform to the standard type of any genre, often characterized by features such as experimental or intricate instrumentation, layered sound, and reflective, emotional, or socially aware lyrics.

2. rock music that departs from classic or mainstream rock, borrowing from or crossing over into other genres, such as punk, heavy metal, electronica, or folk.

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Example Sentences

In his ten years of work, he has become a leading figure in Senegal's alternative music scene, demonstrating that not all of the country's hits have to be in its homegrown Mbalax style.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

A BBC TV News report about the chart battle is remembered as the moment when alternative music culture truly broke through to the mainstream.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

"That's just what I've always been drawn to throughout my life, all different kinds of alternative music," he says.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Perhaps the station’s most well-known personality, Matt Pinfield is a former MTV VJ and one-time host of the popular alternative music show “120 Minutes.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

That would be the icebreaker I needed to talk to Tina and make her aware that I was a cool guy into alternative music who went on weekend concert trips with college students.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen