Middlebrow: meaning, definitions and examples

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middlebrow

 

[ ˈmɪdəlˌbraʊ ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

cultural class

Middlebrow refers to a level of intellectual and cultural attainment that is seen as intermediate between highbrow and lowbrow. It often pertains to art, literature, and music that is accessible to the general audience but lacks the depth and complexity of highbrow works.

Synonyms

average, commonplace, mediocre

Examples of usage

  • He enjoys middlebrow novels that are entertaining yet thought-provoking.
  • The film was criticized for its middlebrow approach to serious themes.
  • Many middlebrow artistic expressions appeal to a broad audience.
Context #2 | Adjective

cultural significance

Describing something as middlebrow indicates that it combines elements of intellectualism with popular appeal, often lacking in true sophistication. It can describe art, literature, or media that is intended to be accessible yet is perceived as lacking in true substance.

Synonyms

accessible, mediocre, popular

Examples of usage

  • The magazine focuses on middlebrow literature that appeals to the mass market.
  • Her middlebrow taste in music includes popular hits and classic favorites.
  • He prefers middlebrow films that are popular yet nuanced.

Translations

Translations of the word "middlebrow" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mediano

🇮🇳 मध्यमवर्गीय

🇩🇪 mittelmäßig

🇮🇩 menengah

🇺🇦 середньоінтелектуальний

🇵🇱 średni

🇯🇵 中流

🇫🇷 de moyenne culture

🇪🇸 mediocre

🇹🇷 orta

🇰🇷 중간

🇸🇦 متوسط

🇨🇿 střední

🇸🇰 stredný

🇨🇳 中等

🇸🇮 srednji

🇮🇸 meðal

🇰🇿 орта

🇬🇪 საშუალო

🇦🇿 orta

🇲🇽 mediocre

Etymology

The term 'middlebrow' originated in the early 20th century, combining the prefix 'middle-' with 'brow,' a metaphorical reference to levels of intellectual attainment. The usage began as a way to categorize cultural works and audiences into three tiers: highbrow, middlebrow, and lowbrow. 'Highbrow' referred to culturally elite individuals who appreciated sophisticated art and literature, while 'lowbrow' indicated those with less refined taste. 'Middlebrow' emerged as a descriptor for those who sought engagement with culture that was not too challenging yet still more refined than popular culture. Over the decades, the term has often been used pejoratively to suggest a certain lack of depth or seriousness in cultural consumption, reflecting the ongoing debates about elitism in art and culture.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,906, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.