lowbrow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, often derogatory or humorous
Quick answer
What does “lowbrow” mean?
Relating to or characteristic of art, entertainment, or culture that is considered to be of little intellectual or artistic value.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or characteristic of art, entertainment, or culture that is considered to be of little intellectual or artistic value; unsophisticated.
Often used to describe a person who prefers or creates such art, or the cultural products themselves. It can imply a lack of refinement or intellectual depth, sometimes in a pejorative sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is consistent.
Connotations
Equally pejorative or descriptive in both dialects, linked to cultural criticism.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “lowbrow” in a Sentence
Primarily used as an attributive adjective (e.g., 'a lowbrow film'). Can be used predicatively (e.g., 'His tastes are quite lowbrow'). Also functions as a countable noun (e.g., 'He's a bit of a lowbrow').Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lowbrow” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The channel is known for its lowbrow comedy panel shows.
- He has a fondness for lowbrow American action films.
American English
- The network airs a lot of lowbrow reality TV.
- It was dismissed as lowbrow entertainment for the masses.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in marketing discussions about targeting different audience segments.
Academic
Common in cultural studies, sociology, and media studies when analyzing cultural hierarchy and taste.
Everyday
Used conversationally to describe films, TV, books, or humour perceived as intellectually undemanding.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields; confined to humanities discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lowbrow”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lowbrow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lowbrow”
- Using it as a synonym for 'stupid' rather than for 'unsophisticated taste'.
- Writing it as two separate words: 'low brow'.
- Overusing in formal contexts where 'popular culture' or 'mainstream' might be more neutral.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it often carries a pejorative connotation, suggesting a lack of sophistication. It can be used neutrally or humorously to describe accessible, popular culture.
Yes, it can be used as a noun to describe a person who prefers lowbrow culture (e.g., 'He's a bit of a lowbrow').
'Philistine' is stronger and more derogatory, implying active hostility towards or disregard for culture and the arts. 'Lowbrow' is milder, focusing more on a lack of refined taste.
No, it is generally considered informal. In formal academic writing, terms like 'popular culture' or 'mass culture' are often preferred for neutrality.
Relating to or characteristic of art, entertainment, or culture that is considered to be of little intellectual or artistic value.
Lowbrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈləʊ.brəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈloʊ.braʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Highbrow, middlebrow, and lowbrow' (a common tripartite classification of culture).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a physically low forehead (brow) watching a silly comedy—this incorrect phrenological stereotype links the physical to the cultural taste.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL SOPHISTICATION IS HEIGHT (highbrow/lowbrow).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best antonym for 'lowbrow'?