What does lowbrow mean?
Lowbrow means unsophisticated, crude, or lacking refined taste, especially when describing entertainment, humor, or cultural preferences. The word often implies that something is deliberately simple, vulgar, or aimed at immediate popular appeal rather than intellectual or artistic refinement. It can also function as a noun for a person considered unsophisticated or tasteless, though that use is more insulting than the adjective. Lowbrow is used in both British and American English and commonly appears with words such as “comedy,” “entertainment,” “humor,” and “taste.” Its familiar, slightly humorous quality can make it useful for describing deliberately populist or inexpensive cultural forms, but it remains a disparaging term when directed at a person.
Characterized by crude, vulgar, or unsophisticated tastes or entertainment.
"The show was dismissed as lowbrow television."
Often used to describe comedy, entertainment, humor, or cultural preferences; typically dismissive when applied to people.
A person regarded as lacking refinement, taste, or intellectual sophistication.
"He dismissed anyone who disagreed with him as a lowbrow."
This noun use is derogatory and is more insulting than the adjective use.
The plural is used for multiple people regarded as unsophisticated or tasteless.
"The novel mocks the lowbrows who dismiss anything they do not immediately understand."
Lowbrow literally combines “low” and “brow,” capturing the idea that someone’s tastes are situated below the level of cultivated sophistication.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lowbrow come from?
The word is an American compound of “low” and “brow,” a word meaning the forehead or the area above the eyes. The expression developed in the early 20th century to describe art, entertainment, and people regarded as uncultivated. It belongs to a set of paired expressions including “highbrow,” “middlebrow,” and “lowbrow,” which classify cultural and intellectual tastes by perceived refinement.
Related word forms
How lowbrow is actually used
The term is generally derogatory or dismissive when applied to people, although it can be used descriptively or humorously to characterize a deliberately crude form of entertainment. It is common in British and American English.
Easily confused with lowbrow
Lowbrow describes tastes, entertainment, or people considered unsophisticated, whereas highbrow describes those considered intellectually refined or sophisticated.