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culture vulture

culture vulture

1 6.5
A person who loves visiting museums, galleries and theatres to see art
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌl.tʃər ˈvʌl.tʃər/
  • Informal
translation icon : aficionado a la cultura
  • You can always find him at the latest gallery opening; he truly embodies the spirit of a culture vulture.

And but she's such a culture vulture, you know, and she's so curious.

Examples

  • They are thus vilified and demonized as "culture vultures," "cultural predators," and, of course, "racists" who must be actively contested for the ownership of America's prehistory.

    Academic text (2000)
  • culture vulture is a term for someone who has a strong and enthusiastic interest in cultural activities.

  • The festival attracted many culture vultures eager to experience the diverse range of performances and artistic displays.

Antonyms

ignoramus
  • Offensive
12 8.3

A person who does not know much

How Interested

culture vulture
  • Informal
1 6.5
fan
1.0
visitor
908 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

culture + vulture

The compound links 'culture' with the animal 'vulture' metaphorically, so a B1 learner who knows both words can likely infer it refers to someone who eagerly seeks or 'devours' cultural activities. However, the sense relies on a figurative extension and carries subtle evaluative/ironic nuance (not strictly literal), making the relation only partially predictable.

Etymology

Culture vulture may come from the image of a vulture moving from museum to theatre to feed on culture, always hunting for the next show or exhibition. That's why the phrase means 'a person with a strong and enthusiastic interest in cultural activities'.