artist

noun art·ist \ ˈär-tist \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of artist

1 a obsolete : one skilled or versed in learned arts

b archaic : physician

c archaic : artisan 1

2 a : one who professes and practices an imaginative art

b : a person skilled in one of the fine arts

3 : a skilled performer; especially : artiste

4 : one who is adept at something

con artist

strikeout artist

See artist defined for English-language learners

See artist defined for kids

Examples of artist in a Sentence

the great artists of the Renaissance
a pitcher who is a strikeout artist

Recent Examples of artist from the Web

For more than twenty years, Matthew Covey has been helping musicians and other artists deal with government paperwork.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "Helping Foreign Artists Cut Through the Red Tape, Pro Bono," 17 Apr. 2018
The Penelope Project a tUWM involved one of their students, Thorin Ketelsen, as an artist-in-residence last year, who lived on at Luthor Manor and was fully involved in projects like the play.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Inter-generational play set at Tosa's Luthor Manor," 16 Apr. 2018
There will be 20 from Texas alone (and 37 Texas artists total).

— kathy harris, star-telegram, "Music, food, 200-plus artists: It's almost Main St. time, and here is what's new in 2018 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 Apr. 2018
Several artists joined Jason Aldean, who was performing when the shooting started, to open the ACM Awards with a tribute to the victims.

— chloe melas, CNN, "Carrie Underwood makes powerful return to the stage after injuring her face," 15 Apr. 2018
Sounds of Beyoncé, Rihanna and various other artists reverberated throughout the venue as players shared some of their best dance moves while striking poses for the camera.

— dania haughton, SI.com, "The Newest Members of the WNBA Shine on Draft Night," 13 Apr. 2018
Kinsey will utilize the tools he’s developed as an artist and share his vision for learning, creativity and inspiration to the masses.

— britt julious, chicagotribune.com, "Roy Kinsey uses his raps to provide hope," 12 Apr. 2018
Knopfler has been particularly active as a solo artist, film composer and producer, while Illsley maintains a solo career.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Greater's Ice Cream to open 2nd NE Ohio location," 12 Apr. 2018
Shaping layers of form derived from a triplicity of sources: the author, the subject, and myself as the artist; Mnemosyne is a representation of Life in its multi-bodied existence.

— Vogue, "Nick Georgiou Is the Artist Behind the Extraordinary Book Sculptures at Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Gioielleria Show," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'artist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of artist

circa 1507

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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artist Synonyms

Other Fine Arts Terms

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

ARTIST Defined for English Language Learners

artist

noun

Definition of artist for English Language Learners

: a person who creates art : a person who is skilled at drawing, painting, etc.
: a skilled performer
: a person who is very good at something

ARTIST Defined for Kids

artist

noun art·ist \ ˈär-tist \

Definition of artist for Students

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

2 : a person who is very good at something

Learn More about artist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for artist Spanish Central: Translation of artist Nglish: Translation of artist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of artist for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about artist

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artist

Definition of artist

Examples of artist in a Sentence

Recent Examples of artist from the Web

First Known Use of artist

artist Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Other Fine Arts Terms

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ARTIST Defined for English Language Learners

artist

Definition of artist for English Language Learners

ARTIST Defined for Kids

artist

Definition of artist for Students

Learn More about artist

Seen and Heard

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