Lowbrow

Alternative forms

• low-brow

Origin

From low and brow, Americanism, circa 1902. Refers to the (by that time discredited) pseudoscience of phrenology, which suggested that a person of low intelligence and sophistication would possess a lower brow-line than someone of greater intelligence and sophistication.

Full definition of lowbrow

Adjective

1. Unsophisticated, not intended for an audience of intelligence, education or culture.The Three Stooges are known for their lowbrow slapstick humor consisting of foolish action for the masses.

Noun

1. Someone or something of low education or culture.

Antonyms

• highbrow

Related terms

• highbrow
• middlebrow