Lowbrow describes entertainment, art, or ideas that are simple, unsophisticated, and designed for mass appeal rather than intellectual challenge. A lowbrow comedy relies on obvious jokes and slapstick humor instead of clever wordplay. Lowbrow TV shows focus on easy laughs rather than complex storytelling.

Some people use lowbrow as an insult, suggesting certain types of fun are somehow inferior. The opposite of lowbrow is highbrow, which describes sophisticated art or ideas that might require more background knowledge, like opera or experimental films.

Smart people can enjoy both lowbrow and highbrow entertainment. A scientist might love serious documentaries but also enjoy action movies that are just for fun. Different kinds of entertainment can serve different purposes, and neither is necessarily better than the other.