alt-country
noun
alt-coun·try
ˈȯlt-ˈkən-trē 
: country music that is produced by performers who are outside the mainstream of country music and that is typically regarded as differing from mainstream country in being less polished, more original, and more eclectic especially in incorporating influences from such genres as rock, folk music, blues, and punk
Examples of alt-country in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The North Carolina band’s blend of alt-country, alt-rock, and shoegaze was exactly what the doctor ordered on an overcast afternoon.
—
Daniel Kohn, Spin, 14 Aug. 2023
Plugging his Gibson Les Paul Gold Top into a hot tube amp, West Asheville singer-songwriter Kevin Fuller blasted through an hour of tears-in-your-beer numbers and razor-sharp alt-country selections.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2023
Decades later, the depth of the Band’s reach became clear, as the alt-country of the 1990s and the Americana of the 21st century all used its music as a blueprint.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Though the Nelsons left the event early, country pop-R&B singer Sam Hunt, alt-country singer Elle King and famed Aggie crooner Lyle Lovett also performed.
—Dallas News, 16 May 2023
Then, that November, the alt-country legend behind touchstones like 1998's revered Car Wheels on a Gravel Road had a stroke, which affects her ability to play guitar to this day.
—Marc Hirsh, EW.com, 12 May 2023
From classic rockers to cutting-edge artists, their choices span pop, alt-country, Americana, hip-hop, soul, punk, ska, and R&B.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2023
Aside from the elaborate, intricate beauty of the graphic novel, the album itself is a collection of original songs, either penned by Keen or members of his alt-country band.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2023
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Daniel Kohn, Spin, 14 Aug. 2023
Plugging his Gibson Les Paul Gold Top into a hot tube amp, West Asheville singer-songwriter Kevin Fuller blasted through an hour of tears-in-your-beer numbers and razor-sharp alt-country selections.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2023
Decades later, the depth of the Band’s reach became clear, as the alt-country of the 1990s and the Americana of the 21st century all used its music as a blueprint.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Though the Nelsons left the event early, country pop-R&B singer Sam Hunt, alt-country singer Elle King and famed Aggie crooner Lyle Lovett also performed.
—Dallas News, 16 May 2023
Then, that November, the alt-country legend behind touchstones like 1998's revered Car Wheels on a Gravel Road had a stroke, which affects her ability to play guitar to this day.
—Marc Hirsh, EW.com, 12 May 2023
From classic rockers to cutting-edge artists, their choices span pop, alt-country, Americana, hip-hop, soul, punk, ska, and R&B.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2023
Aside from the elaborate, intricate beauty of the graphic novel, the album itself is a collection of original songs, either penned by Keen or members of his alt-country band.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alt-country.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
short for alternative country
First Known Use
1993, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near alt-country
Cite this Entry
“Alt-country.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alt-country. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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