art

play

noun \ˈärt\

Definition of art

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation the art of making friends
2a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) arts plural : liberal artsb archaic : learning, scholarship
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill the art of organ building
4a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects the art of painting landscapes; also : works so produced a gallery for modern artb (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : one of the graphic arts
5a archaic : a skillful planb : the quality or state of being artful (see artful 2a)
6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

See art defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of art

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars — more at arm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of art

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power. the art of choosing the right word skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency. the skill of a glassblower cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing. a mystery plotted with great cunning artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature. believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice craft may imply expertness in workmanship. the craft of a master goldsmith

art

adjective

Definition of art

: produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes an art film art dolls art music

Examples of art in a Sentence

a piece of modern art
It's a remarkable picture, but is it art?
The museum has a large collection of folk art.
He studied art in college.

Origin and Etymology of art

see ¹art

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1853

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

art

play

\ˈärt, ərt\

Definition of art

archaic present tense second-person singular of be

Origin and Etymology of art

Middle English, from Old English eart; akin to Old Norse est, ert (thou) art, Old English is is

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

art

abbreviation

Definition of art

1 article
2 artificial
3 artillery

-art

Definition of -art

— see -ard

ART Defined for English Language Learners

art

noun

Definition of art for English Language Learners

: something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings
: works created by artists : paintings, sculptures, etc., that are created to be beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings
: the methods and skills used for painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.

ART Defined for Kids

art

play

noun \ˈärt\

Definition of art for Students

1 : works (as pictures, poems, or songs) made through use of the imagination and creative skills by artists the art of the Renaissance
2 : the methods and skills used for creative visual works (as painting, sculpting, and drawing) a teacher of art
3 : an activity (as painting, music, or writing) whose purpose is making things that are beautiful to look at, listen to, or read the performing arts
4 : skill that comes through experience or study the art of making friends
5 : an activity that requires skill Cooking is an art.

Medical Dictionary

ART

abbreviation

Medical Definition of ART

1accredited record technician The education and training necessary to become an ART (accredited record technician) is available through a two-year associate degree program for medical records technicians at a junior or community college.—The Chicago Tribune, 7 Dec. 1992
2assisted reproductive technology A quarter century after the first “test tube” baby, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has risen astronomically.—Anna Mulrine, U.S. News & World Report, 27 Sept. 2004 Nationally, about 107,000 ART procedures—which include IVF and related procedures that consist of the egg and sperm being handled outside the body—are performed.—Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 21 Mar. 2004