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Her philistine approach to fashion meant she always wore the same outdated clothes and never tried anything new.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