Skinhead: meaning, definitions and examples

The term 'skinhead' emerged in the late 1960s in the UK, initially describing a group of working-class youths who adopted a specific style influenced by both Jamaican rude boys and British mods. The distinctive look included closely cropped hair, typically shaved heads, and fashion items like boots and braces. Initially, skinheads embraced themes of anti-racism and unity through music, particularly reggae and ska. However, as the movement evolved into the 1970s and 1980s, a subset of skinheads began to align with far-right political ideologies, leading to a complicated and often negative perception of the term. This split led to the rise of various factions within the skinhead community, some of which adhered to racist ideologies while others actively opposed such views, creating an ongoing tension that shapes the identity of skinheads to this day.

Ranking #36,172, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 36169 incisively
• 36170 leashed
• 36171 reformative
• 36172 skinhead
• 36173 trounced
• 36174 culpably
• 36175 hosed
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