noun
beatnik
BEET-nihk
Beatnik (noun) means a member of the nonconformist Beat Generation of the 1950s and 60s, known for rejecting mainstream values in dress, art, and lifestyle. Example: “The café was once a hangout for poets and beatniks.”
noun
1
A member of the nonconformist Beat Generation of the 1950s and 60s, known for rejecting mainstream values in dress, art, and lifestyle.
"The café was once a hangout for poets and beatniks."
How to use beatnik
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA member (or in the style) of the 1950s counterculture associated with poets like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac.
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Word forms
- Plural
- beatniks, beatniki
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The café was once a hangout for poets and _____.
Etymology
Coined in 1958 by columnist Herb Caen, blending "beat" (as in Beat Generation) with the Russian-derived suffix "-nik" — the same suffix popularised by "Sputnik."
Class of 1958
beatnik joined the language around 1958.
See the full Class of 1958 →
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “beatnik” mean?
The word “beatnik” means a member of the nonconformist Beat Generation of the 1950s and 60s, known for rejecting mainstream values in dress, art, and lifestyle. In plain terms, a member (or in the style) of the 1950s counterculture associated with poets like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac.
How do you pronounce “beatnik”?
“Beatnik” is pronounced BEET-nihk (/ˈbiːtnɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “beatnik” in a sentence?
Here is “beatnik” used in a sentence: “The café was once a hangout for poets and beatniks.”
What part of speech is “beatnik”?
“Beatnik” is a noun.
Where does the word “beatnik” come from?
The word “beatnik” dates back to around 1958 and comes from Russian. Coined in 1958 by columnist Herb Caen, blending "beat" (as in Beat Generation) with the Russian-derived suffix "-nik" — the same suffix popularised by "Sputnik.".
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