adult alternative

noun

: a radio programming format targeted toward adults and providing usually softer or more up-tempo music from a variety of popular genres

—often used before another noun

listening to adult alternative music

an adult alternative station/format/album

Examples of adult alternative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The song opens at No. 20 on the list of the most successful tracks being played by radio stations throughout the U.S. that focus on a format known as adult alternative, which is known essentially as a lighter, more easygoing version of alternative rock. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024

The track ascends from No. 4 to the throne on Billboard’s ranking of the tunes that reach the largest audience at a radio format known as adult alternative. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above