philistine

[ˈfɪlɪstiːn]

philistine Definition

a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them.

Using philistine: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "philistine" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He was a philistine who had no appreciation for classical music.

  • Example

    The new CEO was a philistine who cared only about profits and had no interest in the company's artistic heritage.

  • Example

    She was shocked to learn that her date was a philistine who had never heard of Shakespeare.

philistine Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for philistine

Antonyms for philistine

Idioms Using philistine

  • an outlook that is narrow-minded and lacking in appreciation for culture and the arts

    Example

    His philistine outlook on life meant he never saw the value in visiting museums or attending concerts.

  • an approach that is unsophisticated and lacking in cultural awareness

    Example

    Her philistine approach to fashion meant she always wore the same outdated clothes and never tried anything new.

  • a mentality that is dismissive of culture and the arts

    Example

    Their philistine mentality meant they never appreciated the beauty of the city's architecture or landmarks.

Phrases with philistine

  • a preference for things that are considered vulgar or lacking in artistic merit

    Example

    His philistine taste in movies meant he preferred action films over classic dramas.

  • an attitude of indifference or hostility towards culture and the arts

    Example

    Her philistine attitude towards literature meant she never read anything beyond the bestseller list.

  • behavior that shows a lack of appreciation for culture and the arts

    Example

    His philistine behavior at the museum, where he loudly criticized the paintings, embarrassed his friends.

Origins of philistine

from Philistines, a people in the Bible who were enemies of the Israelites and known for their lack of culture and civilization

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Summary: philistine in Brief

'Philistine' [ˈfɪlɪstiːn] refers to a person who lacks appreciation for culture and the arts, or is hostile towards them. It is often used to describe someone with narrow-minded views or unsophisticated tastes, as in 'He was a philistine who had no appreciation for classical music.' The term extends into phrases like 'philistine attitude,' and idioms like 'a philistine outlook,' denoting a dismissive or unsophisticated mentality.