WordValephilistine
a person indifferent or hostile to the arts
In more detail
1. (noun) a person who does not care about art, literature, music, or other cultural things
2. (noun) (historical) a member of an ancient people who lived in what is now Israel and Palestine
Examples
- 1. He was criticized as a philistine for preferring blockbuster movies to serious films.
- 2. The Philistines were known as enemies of the ancient Israelites.
How to use philistine
When referring to a person lacking cultural refinement, 'philistine' is typically used as a pejorative noun or adjective, often appearing in intellectual or artistic contexts. It carries stronger judgment than 'uncultured' and implies willful indifference rather than mere ignorance. The historical sense referring to the ancient people is now primarily confined to biblical or academic discussions.
Common phrases
- complete philistine
- cultural philistine
- philistine attitudes
- philistine tastes
- dismiss someone as a philistine
Synonyms
barbarian · lowbrow · boor · uncultured person · vulgararian
Opposites
intellectual · aesthete · connoisseur
Word family
philistine (adjective) · philistinism (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the modern metaphorical sense with the historical sense, or fail to recognize that calling someone a philistine is decidedly insulting even in modern casual usage.
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