alternative pop

1 of 2

noun (1)

: alt-pop
He said he is focusing on electronica … and alternative pop because there are limited platforms for these genres at … music venues.—Huddersfield (England) Daily Examiner
an alternative pop band
: pop music that has broad appeal but that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream and that is typically regarded as more original, eclectic, or musically or intellectually challenging than most pop music
listened to alt-pop
… mixes African-influenced guitars and beats with soulful female vocals, socially conscious lyrics and western melodies, creating an idiosyncratic alt-pop sound that's all their own.—Trish Lee

called also alternative pop

Examples of alternative pop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter incorporates reggaeton, jazz, R&B and alternative pop. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 The frontman for Evening Elephants comes often to the lowlands of Griffith Park, watching locals practice yoga and Taekwondo, while imagining new music for his alternative pop act. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
Mud dropped on Friday via Island Records and marks the third studio album for Wolf, a record that edges far closer to folk music than either of the alt-pop star’s first two LPs. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026 Back on the album side, beloved alt-pop act Remi Wolf shared her third album, Mud, while Billboard cover star Pitbull dropped his first new full-length in three years with Pitcoin. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative pop

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1985, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternative pop was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“Alternative pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternative%20pop. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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