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

• 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

In short, the event has greatly helped with Conway's regional and statewide popularity, which is due in part to its reputation as a regional hub for artists, and attracts approximately 2,000 visitors each month that the festival is held. —Arkansas Online, 16 Aug. 2025

The art was created by Melissa Koby, the first Black theme artist in U.S. Open history, and features the silhouette of Althea Gibson, who broke the tennis color barrier at the 1950 U.S. National Championships. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2025

Before this season, McDaniels had never worked with a starting quarterback quite like Maye, a daring artist who paints with long-odds strikes and crafty arm angles. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025

The artist found out about the sweet gesture after his show, and responded with a sweet gesture. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 16 Aug. 2025

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
• escape artist
• flimflam artist/man
• paleo-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