alternative music

noun

: music that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream, that is typically regarded as more eclectic, original, or challenging than most popular music (such as conventional rock, pop, or country), and that is often distributed by independent record labels

Examples of alternative music in a Sentence

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The artist, whose real name is Anne Clark, won three awards during the Grammy Award premiere ceremony ahead of the telecast, taking home trophies for best alternative music album, best alternative music performance and best rock song. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Bon Iver Indie folk band Bon Iver won both best new artist and best alternative music album at the 2012 Grammys. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025 Since its debut in 1995, the Vans Warped Tour has been a cornerstone of alternative music culture, launching the careers of acts like Paramore, Blink-182, and My Chemical Romance, and providing a stage for countless others. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025 The film is exceptionally headlined by alternative music artist Anja Plaschg (aka Soap&Skin) as Agnes, a young, beautiful woman married off to a man from a nearby village who also happens to be a closeted homosexual. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for alternative music

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternative music was in 1974

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Cite this Entry

“Alternative music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternative%20music. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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