cultural touchstone

Meaning

A 'cultural touchstone' is an important, widely recognized event, work of art, book, or movie that serves as a standard or reference point for a particular culture or generation. It is something almost everyone in a society knows and relates to.

Examples

• The original Star Wars movie became a cultural touchstone for millions of people in the late 1970s.

  The original Star Wars movie became a cultural touchstone for millions of people in the late 1970s.

• That television show was more than just entertainment; it was a cultural touchstone of the decade.

  That television show was more than just entertainment; it was a cultural touchstone of the decade.

• Video games have evolved from a niche hobby into a major cultural touchstone.

  Video games have evolved from a niche hobby into a major cultural touchstone.

• The concert became a cultural touchstone that defined the music scene for years to come.

  The concert became a cultural touchstone that defined the music scene for years to come.

• Many educators consider Shakespeare's plays to be essential cultural touchstones.

  Many educators consider Shakespeare's plays to be essential cultural touchstones.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ That movie is a touchstone of culture.

  ✓ That movie is a cultural touchstone.

  'Cultural touchstone' is a fixed collocation. Rearranging it sounds unnatural to native speakers.

• ✗ The novel became a cultural cornerstone.

  ✓ The novel became a cultural touchstone.

  While 'cornerstone' means a vital basis, 'touchstone' is specifically used for a standard of comparison or a shared cultural reference point.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The 1969 moon landing remains a massive ___ for humanity.

  💡 An iconic reference point.

  Show answer

  cultural touchstone

• For Gen Z, certain social media platforms have become key ___.

  💡 Plural form.

  Show answer

  cultural touchstones