What does highbrow mean?
Highbrow means intellectually sophisticated, cultured, or associated with the arts and educated elite. The adjective commonly describes humor, literature, television, tastes, or conversations, often with the implication that they appeal to discerning or highly educated audiences rather than to popular tastes. Its connotation varies: it may be complimentary when praising intellectual depth, but it can sound snobbish or elitist when used to mark a distinction between refined and supposedly ordinary culture. As a noun, a highbrow is a person regarded as intellectual or cultured, although this use often carries a faintly dismissive tone. Highbrow is established in both British and American English and is especially useful when describing cultural preferences, artistic forms, or the social character of an audience.
Intellectually sophisticated, cultured, or characteristic of elevated artistic or literary tastes.
"The program combines highbrow comedy with accessible storytelling."
Often approving when describing intellectual depth, but sometimes critical when implying elitism or pretension.
A person regarded as highly educated, cultured, or intellectually sophisticated.
"The panel consisted largely of highbrows from the literary world."
Relatively uncommon and often carries a dismissive or ironic tone.
The plural is uncommon and normally refers to a group regarded as educated or intellectually sophisticated, often with an ironic or critical tone.
"The magazine was written for highbrows rather than for a mass readership."
Highbrow began with a metaphor of lofty intellectual tastes and became a quick way to signal both prestige and pretension.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does highbrow come from?
Highbrow was formed in the 19th century by combining high with brow, using the physical image of a lofty brow to suggest elevated intellectual or cultural tastes. Brow ultimately comes from Old English brū, referring to the forehead or the upper part of the face, while high is related to words such as height. Later formations including eyebrow and lowbrow share the same brow element, with lowbrow serving as the semantic opposite of highbrow.
How highbrow is actually used
Highbrow is common in British and American English. It can neutrally describe intellectual or artistic sophistication, but it may also suggest elitism, pretension, or an audience perceived as narrow and socially exclusive. The noun can sound dismissive when applied to people.