Beatnik - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A beatnik is a person, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, who rejects conventional society, embraces artistic expression, and often follows a bohemian lifestyle. The term is associated with the Beat Generation.
Definition:
A person, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, who rejected conventional society, often associated with jazz and poetry.
Synonyms:
bohemian, hippie, nonconformist, free spirit
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
conformist, traditionalist
Common Collocations:
beatnik culture, beatnik poet, beatnik lifestyle, beatnik generation
Derivatives:
beatnikery, beatnikism
Usage Tips:
Use "beatnik" to describe countercultural figures from the mid-20th century, often linked to artistic rebellion.
Common Phrases:
beatnik movement, beatnik era, beatnik vibe
Etymology:
Coined in 1958 from "beat" (as in Beat Generation) + "-nik" (Russian suffix for a person associated with something).
Examples:
- 1. The coffee shop was a favorite hangout for local beatniks in the 1960s.
- 2. She dressed like a beatnik, wearing black turtlenecks and berets.
- 3. The poet read his work at the beatnik gathering last night.
- 4. Beatniks often rejected materialism in favor of artistic expression.