How to pronounce philistine
American English pronunciation
FIL-ih-steen
- IPA
- /ˈfɪlɪˌstin/
- Syllables
- FIL · ih · steen (3 syllables, stress on the 1st)
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What philistine means
A person who looks down on art, books and music
In a sentence: Only a philistine would call that gorgeous painting a waste of paint.
Where it comes from: It comes from the Philistines, an ancient people. German college students later used the name for townsfolk outside university life.
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