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 Chinese artist will bring his expertise as a glonal artist to guide the contestants through this crucial semi-final stage. Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Kirsten Obstacles and my first realisations about society's stereotypical attitudes toward motherhood, being a mother, and being an artist and mother quickly led me to take action. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025 The success of three female artists could be an outlier, driven by the influence of social media and streaming portals. Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 The film portrays a married couple balancing their dreams of becoming full-time artists with a desire to have children, only to get a surreal opportunity to do both by winning a supermarket game show. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 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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