Ivory-tower Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And Usage Notes

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Definition of ivory tower noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ivory tower noun  /ˌaɪvəri ˈtaʊə(r)/  /ˌaɪvəri ˈtaʊər/(disapproving) jump to other results

1. a place or situation where you are separated from the problems and practical aspects of normal life and therefore do not have to worry about or understand them
   • academics living in ivory towers
   Word Originearly 20th cent.: translating French tour d'ivoire, used by the writer Sainte-Beuve.

See ivory tower in the Oxford Advanced American DictionaryCheck pronunciation: ivory tower

Nearby words

• Ivory
• (the) Ivory Coast noun
• ivory tower noun
• ivy noun
• Ivy

circumstance noun From the Word list OPAL spoken words Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day