artist

noun

art·​ist ˈär-tist How to pronounce artist (audio)
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

Examples of artist in a Sentence

the great artists of the Renaissance a pitcher who is a strikeout artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Industrialist Facing the Barclays Center, The Industrialist occupies a four-story warehouse reimagined as an artist's sanctuary. Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025 The Spanish-style stucco buildings with clay tile roofs are home to more than 80 artists and over 20 galleries. Anne Roderique-Jones, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025 Users gameplay as an avatar based on the artist and are rewarded with collectible items. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025 Some artists even incorporated audio samples from street protests into their music to reconstruct the atmosphere of the movement. Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for artist

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of artist was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Artist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artist. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

artist

noun
art·​ist ˈärt-əst How to pronounce artist (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on artist

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