1. a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them
Usage: often derogatory
2. a member of an ancient people who lived in southern Palestine
Usage: historical; often capitalized

1. hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts; lacking in cultural appreciation
Usage: often derogatory

Examples

• The art critic dismissed him as a philistine who couldn’t appreciate modern painting.
• She felt surrounded by philistines who only cared about money and sports.
• His philistine attitude toward literature made dinner conversations awkward.
• The mayor’s philistine policies cut funding for the city’s museums.
• Don’t be such a philistine—give the opera a chance.
• The ancient Philistines were enemies of the Israelites in biblical times.
• He proudly called himself a philistine, preferring action movies to foreign films.