alternative-rock
UK[ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv rɒk]US[ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv rɑːk]
n
A style of rock music that emerged in the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s, characterized by a rejection of mainstream commercialism and often featuring distorted guitars, unconventional song structures, and introspective lyrics.
Morpheme Breakdown
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Etymology
The term 'alternative-rock' is a modern compound formed in the late 20th century. The word 'alternative' originates from the Latin alternare, meaning 'to do one thing and then another', which evolved to signify a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities. 'Rock', as a musical term, is a shortening of 'rock and roll', which itself derives from the verb meaning 'to move to and fro'. When combined, 'alternative' modifies 'rock' to designate a genre perceived as a choice outside of or opposed to the dominant commercial rock music of its time. The compound thus logically encapsulates the genre's identity as a deliberate, stylistic alternative within the broader rock tradition.
Analysis
Structure: alternative + rock
- alternative: From Medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare (to do by turns). In this compound, it functions as an adjective modifying 'rock', indicating a choice apart from the mainstream.
- rock: Shortened from 'rock and roll', a style of popular music. From the verb 'to rock'. In this compound, it functions as the head noun specifying the genre of music.
Examples
The radio station dedicated a whole hour to 1990s alternative-rock.
His band is heavily influenced by the gritty sound of early alternative-rock.
The festival lineup features several iconic alternative-rock acts.