1 ADJ Artificial objects, materials, or processes do not occur naturally and are created by human beings, for example using science or technology. □ …a wholefood diet free from artificial additives, colours and flavours. □ The city is dotted with small lakes, natural and artificial. ● ar|ti|fi|cial|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ …drugs which artificially reduce heart rate.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An artificial state or situation exists only because someone has created it, and therefore often seems unnatural or unnecessary. □ Removed from the artificial atmosphere of the fashion show, high-fashion clothes often look cheap and silly. ● ar|ti|fi|cial|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …state subsidies that have kept retail prices artificially low.
3 ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as artificial , you disapprove of them because they pretend to have attitudes and feelings which they do not really have. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The voice was patronizing and affected, the accent artificial.
a r|ti|fi|cial in|semi|na |tion N‑UNCOUNT Artificial insemination is a medical technique for making a woman pregnant by injecting previously stored sperm into her womb. Female animals can also be made pregnant by artificial insemination. The abbreviation AI is also used.
a r|ti|fi|cial in|te l|li|gence N‑UNCOUNT Artificial intelligence is a type of computer technology which is concerned with making machines work in an intelligent way, similar to the way that the human mind works. The abbreviation AI is also used.
a r|ti|fi|cial res|pi|ra |tion N‑UNCOUNT Artificial respiration is the forcing of air into the lungs of someone who has stopped breathing, usually by blowing through their mouth or nose, in order to keep them alive and to help them to start breathing again. □ She was given artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
ar|til|lery /ɑː r t I ləri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Artillery consists of large, powerful guns which are transported on wheels and used by an army. □ Using tanks and heavy artillery, they seized the town. □ …the sound of artillery fire.
2 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The artillery is the section of an army which is trained to use large, powerful guns.
ar|ti|san /ɑː r t I zæ n, [AM ] -zən/ (artisans ) N‑COUNT An artisan is someone whose job requires skill with their hands.
art|ist ◆◆◇ /ɑː r t I st/ (artists )
1 N‑COUNT An artist is someone who draws or paints pictures or creates sculptures as a job or a hobby. □ Each poster is signed by the artist. □ I'm not a good artist.
2 N‑COUNT An artist is a person who creates novels, poems, films, or other things which can be considered as works of art. □ His books are enormously easy to read, yet he is a serious artist.
3 N‑COUNT An artist is a performer such as a musician, actor, or dancer. □ …a popular artist who has sold millions of records.
4 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is an artist at a particular activity, you mean they are very skilled at it. □ He is an exceptional footballer–an artist. SYNONYMS artist NOUN 2
artisan: It's great to work with local artisans.
craftsman: The table in the kitchen was made by a local craftsman.
master: …a portrait by the Dutch master, Vincent van Gogh.
ar|tiste /ɑː r tiː st/ (artistes ) N‑COUNT An artiste is a professional entertainer, for example a singer or a dancer. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a cabaret artiste.
ar|tis|tic /ɑː r t I st I k/
1 ADJ Someone who is artistic is good at drawing or painting, or arranging things in a beautiful way. □ They encourage boys to be sensitive and artistic. □ Mary's got it all so nice–you remember how artistic she always was with colors.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Artistic means relating to art or artists. □ …the campaign for artistic freedom. □ …their 1,300 year old artistic traditions. ● ar|tis|ti|cal|ly /ɑː r t I st I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ …artistically gifted children. □ Artistically, the photographs are stunning.
3 ADJ An artistic design or arrangement is beautiful. □ …an artistic arrangement of stone paving. ● ar|tis|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ …artistically carved garden ornaments.
art|ist|ry /ɑː r t I stri/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Artistry is the creative skill of an artist, writer, actor, or musician. □ …portrait sculptors of considerable skill and artistry.
art|less /ɑː r tləs/ ADJ Someone who is artless is simple and honest, and does not think of deceiving other people. □ She was curiously artless. □ …Hemingway's artless air and charming smile.
Art Nou|veau /ɑː r t nuːvoʊ / also art nouveau N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Art Nouveau is a style of decoration and architecture that was common in the 1890s. It is characterized by flowing lines and patterns of flowers and leaves. □ We lunched at the stunning art nouveau Café American.
artsy /ɑː r tsi/ ADJ Artsy means the same as arty . [INFORMAL ]
a rtsy-fa rtsy → see arty-farty
art|work /ɑː r twɜː r k/ (artworks )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Artwork is drawings and photographs that are prepared in order to be included in something such as a book or advertisement. □ The band have released the artwork for their forthcoming album.
2 N‑VAR Artworks are paintings or sculptures which are of high quality. □ The museum contains 6,000 contemporary and modern artworks. □ …a magnificent collection of priceless artwork.