highbrow
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //haɪˈbraʊ//
KK: /haɪˈbraʊ/
adjective
Definition
Relating to or appealing to people who are very educated and interested in serious or intellectual subjects.
Example
The gallery hosted a highbrow discussion on modern art.
Conversation
I heard you went to that highbrow art exhibit last weekend.
Yeah, it was really interesting, but a bit too fancy for my taste.
I can see that; sometimes those highbrow events feel a little pretentious.
Exactly! I prefer something more laid-back and fun.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
cultured
refined
sophisticated
Antonyms
vulgar
crude
unsophisticated
noun
Definition
A person who has a lot of knowledge about art, literature, or other cultural subjects, often seen as sophisticated or intellectual.
Example
She is considered a highbrow because she enjoys classical music and modern art.
Conversation
Have you met that guy who always talks about philosophy?
Yeah, he seems a bit of a highbrow, doesn't he?
Totally! It's like he thinks he's better than everyone else.
Root Explanation
Highbrow is formed from "high" (from Old English "heah", meaning elevated or tall) and "brow" (from Old English "brū", meaning the forehead or brow). The term originally referred to someone with an elevated or superior intellect, often associated with cultural sophistication.
Memory Tip
Think of someone with a 'high' ('heah') forehead ('brow') as being intellectually elevated or sophisticated.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.