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

David Hockney, the British artist most famous for his 1960s paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools and double portraits rendered in vivid acrylic paints, died at his London home on Thursday, June 11, at age 88. —Constance W. Glenn, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026

The electric guitar pendant is a nod to L’Epée, Seigner’s rock band with American music artist Anton Newcombe and husband-and-wife duo Marie and Lionel Limiñanas. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 June 2026

Five of his artists have represented their countries in the Venice Biennale, with two (Malick Sidibe and El Anatsui) winning Golden Lions. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026

As ever, the white whale of this group is likely Taylor Swift, the highest-profile artist in this genre who has not yet shown up. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 June 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