hipster

¹ American  

[hip-ster] / ˈhɪp stər /

noun

Slang.

1. a usually young person who is trendy, stylish, or progressive in an unconventional way; someone who is hip.

2. a person, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by a particularly strong sense of alienation from most established social activities and relationships; a beatnik or hippie.

3. a performer or admirer of jazz, especially swing; a hepcat.

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hipster ² American  

[hip-ster] / ˈhɪp stər /

noun

1. Chiefly British. hipsters, hiphuggers.

2. Often hipsters hiphugger underpants for women and girls.

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hipster British  

/ ˈhɪpstə /

noun

1. slang

   1. an enthusiast of modern jazz

   2. an outmoded word for hippy 1

2. (modifier) (of trousers) cut so that the top encircles the hips

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Other Word Forms

• hipsterish adjective
• hipsterism noun

Etymology

Origin of hipster¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; hip ⁴ + -ster

Origin of hipster²

First recorded in 1960–65; hip ¹ + -ster

Example Sentences

It might have been a home nation, but maybe it was Brazil, or Argentina, or Spain, or a hipster pick like Mexico or Japan.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Despite the threat, during the day the vibe remains laid-back in a city known for the cultivated cool of its hipster atmosphere.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

Dexter went from sheltered son of a doctor to brooding child hipster who left home early to tour with big bands.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

“We have the hipster country crowd and we love them, because they spend money,” said owner Frank Faillace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

And in no time at all, I was talking the slang like a lifelong hipster.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey