artist

noun

art·​ist ˈär-tist 

plural artists

1

a

: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination

the great artists of the Renaissance

an artist specializing in watercolors

b

: a person skilled in any of the arts

I can't draw at all, but both of my children are very talented artists.

2

: a skilled performer

a trapeze artist

especially : a musical or theatrical entertainer : artiste

a jazz artist

3

: a person who is very good at something

a scam artist

a strikeout artist

4

a

obsolete : one skilled or versed in learned arts

b

archaic : physician

c

archaic : artisan sense 1

Synonyms of artist

• expert
• scholar
• master
• virtuoso
• adept
• wizard
• guru

Examples of artist in a Sentence

the great artists of the Renaissance

a pitcher who is a strikeout artist

Recent Examples on the Web

In the mid-2010s, there was a major-label gold rush on, with some companies signing artists not only to release albums and singles, but also to produce and remix other artists on the roster. —Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026

Like his murals, for Norice the documentary paints an accurate picture of his life as an artist. —Richard Guzman, Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

The artist for the March 13, March 11, and March 15 concerts is plein air painter Tina Druce-Hoffman. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Makeup artist Melanie Inglessis used all Dior products on Ortega, most notably the Diorshow Brow Styler in #03 Brown to define the actor's newly dark brows. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French artiste "person practicing a craft, student of the liberal arts," borrowed from Medieval Latin artista "artificer, student of the liberal arts," from Latin art-, ars "acquired skill, art entry 1" + -ista -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Phrases Containing artist

• con artist
• Conceptual artist
• escape artist
• flimflam artist/man
• paleo-artist
• Pop artist
• recording artist

Rhymes for artist

• chartist
• smartest
• bonapartist

Kids Definition

artist

noun

art·​ist ˈärt-əst 

1

: a person skilled in one of the arts (as painting, sculpture, music, or writing)

2

: a person showing unusual ability in an occupation requiring skill