artistic

adjective

ar·​tis·​tic är-ˈti-stik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of art or artists

artistic subjects

an artistic success

2

: showing imaginative skill in arrangement or execution

artistic photography

artistically

är-ˈti-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of artistic

• cultural

Examples of artistic in a Sentence

a work of artistic value

He shows real artistic talent.

Both of my children are very artistic.

Recent Examples on the Web

The recent discovery of rock art in a cave in Indonesia might signify more than just our ancestors’ artistic ability. —Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026

With the release of his sophomore album, Fly, in October 2024, singer-songwriter and composer Michael Mayo ascended to new artistic heights. —Jordan-Marie Smith, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026

This year’s Dropbox House was a celebration of a filmmaker’s process, filled with innovation and technology that automates busywork and helps the human parts of artistic collaboration. —Cat Cardenas, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026

Some shows have been outright successes, and where others have missed, there's at least been a refreshingly grand artistic swing. —New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

in part from artist + -ic entry 1, in part from art entry 1 + -istic

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for artistic

• autistic
• ballistic
• cladistic
• heuristic
• holistic
• linguistic
• logistic
• monistic
• patristic
• sadistic
• simplistic
• sophistic

Kids Definition

artistic

adjective

ar·​tis·​tic är-ˈtis-tik 

1

: relating to or characteristic of art or artists

2

: showing skill and imagination

artistically

-ˈtis-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb