alt-country

noun

alt-coun·​try ˈȯlt-ˈkən-trē How to pronounce alt-country (audio)
: 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 See More

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alt-country was in 1993

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.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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