Highbrow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈhī-ˌbrau̇/ high·brow

Meaning & Definition of Highbrow

Highbrow (noun)

  1. a person who possesses or has pretensions to superior learning or culture

Highbrow (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. much given to learning and thinking

    "finally, a TV series that appeals to a highbrow audience"

    similar: blue, cerebral, eggheaded, geeky, highbrowed, intellectual, intellectualist, intellectualistic, long-haired, nerdish, nerdy
    related: cultivated, cultured, erudite, learned, literate, polyhistoric, polymath, scholarly, well-read, academic, bookish, professorial, didactic, high-toned, hyperintellectual, pedantic, high-hat, snobbish, snobby, snooty, educated, schooled, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, quick-witted, smart
    opposite: anti-intellectual, lowbrow, nonintellectual, philistine
    near: uncultivated, uncultured, ignorant, illiterate, uneducated, unlettered, unread, dumb, foolish, idiotic, moronic, slow, stupid, unintelligent, benighted, unenlightened

Highbrow (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with strong intellectual interests

    "guests at her elegant dinner parties are a mix of the city's highbrows and captains of industry"

    similar: double-dome, geek, intellectual, intellectualist, longhair, nerd
    related: blue, bluestocking, Brahmin, mandarin, sage, intellectualizer, pseud (British), brain, genius, intellect, thinker, whiz, wizard
    opposite: anti-intellectual, lowbrow, philistine
    near: blockhead, dolt, dope, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, half-wit, imbecile, moron, nitwit, pinhead, simpleton

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Highbrow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Highbrow:

blue, cerebral, eggheaded, geeky, highbrowed, intellectual, intellectualist, intellectualistic, long-haired, nerdish, nerdy, double-dome, geek, longhair, nerd

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Highbrow

Words with the opposite meaning of Highbrow:

anti-intellectual, lowbrow, nonintellectual, philistine

Related Words for Highbrow

cultivated, cultured, erudite, learned, literate, polyhistoric, polymath, scholarly, well-read, academic, bookish, professorial, didactic, high-toned, hyperintellectual, pedantic, high-hat, snobbish, snobby, snooty, educated, schooled, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, quick-witted, smart, bluestocking

Near Antonyms of Highbrow

uncultivated, uncultured, ignorant, illiterate, uneducated, unlettered, unread, dumb, foolish, idiotic, moronic, slow, stupid, unintelligent, benighted, unenlightened, blockhead, dolt, dope, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, half-wit, imbecile, moron, nitwit, pinhead, simpleton

Word Forms of Highbrow

Derived words: highbrow (adjective), highbrowed (adjective), highbrowism (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Highbrow

First known use: 1898

Frequently Asked Questions about Highbrow

What does "Highbrow" mean?

"Highbrow" means a person who possesses or has pretensions to superior learning or culture. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a person who possesses or has pretensions to superior learning or culture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Highbrow"?

Other words for "Highbrow" include blue, cerebral, eggheaded, geeky, highbrowed, intellectual, intellectualist and intellectualistic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Highbrow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Highbrow"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Highbrow". Common alternatives include blue, cerebral, eggheaded, geeky, highbrowed, intellectual, intellectualist, intellectualistic, long-haired and nerdish.

What is the opposite of "Highbrow"?

Antonyms of "Highbrow" include anti-intellectual, lowbrow, nonintellectual and philistine. Near antonyms include uncultivated, uncultured, ignorant and illiterate.

How do you use "Highbrow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Highbrow" in a sentence: "finally, a TV series that appeals to a highbrow audience"; "guests at her elegant dinner parties are a mix of the city's highbrows and captains of industry".

Is "Highbrow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Highbrow" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Highbrow"?

"Highbrow" is pronounced /ˈhī-ˌbrau̇/ and divided into syllables as high·brow.

What is the origin of the word "Highbrow"?

First known use: 1898.