hippie

American  

[hip-ee] / ˈhɪp i /

Or hippy

noun

1. a person, especially of the late 1960s, who rejected established institutions and values and sought spontaneity, direct personal relations expressing love, and expanded consciousness, often expressed externally in the wearing of casual, folksy clothing and of beads, headbands, used garments, etc.

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hippie British  

/ ˈhɪpɪ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of hippy 1

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Etymology

Origin of hippie

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55; hip ⁴ + -ie

Compare meaning

How does hippie compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• beatnik vs. hippie

Example Sentences

But he articulated things that hadn’t been part of the American grain, becoming his country’s poet laureate of nature and ethics and its hippie Founding Father.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The high desert has a fascinating blend of hippie and libertarian sensibilities,” he wrote in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

But Bodo's toothbrush-waving "fish hippies" are not the only fans enjoying underdog stories this season, across Europe clubs are battling above their board.

From BBC

It’s artsy hippie musician meets PBS Kids, with big, bold paintings and old instruments hanging on the walls, plus kids’ toys everywhere.

From Literature

Yet it retains a hippie vibe, with no stop lights and bumper stickers bearing slogans like “Crazy is still better than corporate.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bohemian
• flower child
• free spirit