artificial

[ ahr-tuh-fish-uhl ]

adjective

1. made by human skill; produced by humans ( natural ):

   artificial flowers.

   Synonyms: synthetic

2. imitation; simulated; sham:

   artificial vanilla flavoring.

   Synonyms: factitious, counterfeit

   Antonyms: real, genuine

3. lacking naturalness or spontaneity; forced; contrived; feigned:

   an artificial smile.

   Synonyms: factitious, counterfeit

4. full of affectation; affected; stilted:

   artificial manners; artificial speech.

   Synonyms: pretentious

5. made without regard to the particular needs of a situation, person, etc.; imposed arbitrarily; unnatural:

   artificial rules for dormitory residents.

6. Biology. based on arbitrary, superficial characteristics rather than natural, organic relationships:

   an artificial system of classification.

7. Jewelry. manufactured to resemble a natural gem, in chemical composition or appearance. Compare assembled, imitation ( def 11 ), synthetic ( def 6 ).

artificial

/ ˌɑːtɪˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ; ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl /

adjective

1. produced by man; not occurring naturally

   artificial materials of great strength

2. made in imitation of a natural product, esp as a substitute; not genuine

   artificial cream

3. pretended; assumed; insincere

   an artificial manner

4. lacking in spontaneity; affected

   an artificial laugh

5. biology relating to superficial characteristics not based on the interrelationships of organisms

   an artificial classification

Derived Forms

• ˌartiˈficially, adverb
• artificiality, noun

Other Words From

• arti·ficial·ly adverb
• arti·ficial·ness noun
• over·arti·ficial adjective
• over·arti·ficial·ly adverb
• super·arti·ficial adjective
• super·arti·ficial·ly adverb
• unar·ti·ficial adjective
• unar·ti·ficial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin artificiālis “contrived by art”; equivalent to artifice + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial¹

C14: from Latin artificiālis belonging to art, from artificium skill, artifice

Example Sentences

In the end, the line between magic and religion may be something of an artificial one.

From The Daily Beast

Complete male reproductive independence would also hinge on artificial womb technology, which also made headlines in 2014.

From The Daily Beast

In lieu of a traditional runway, Lagerfeld had the Grand Palais trussed up as an artificial city.

From The Daily Beast

Not all scientists agree that artificial sweeteners are a no-no when it comes to your health and diet.

From The Daily Beast

The market for artificial sweeteners has soared above $1 billion annually in the U.S. alone.

From The Daily Beast

It was not, however, through any of these artificial means that real relief was brought to the community.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not know what the scent was, but it smelled rich and artificial, and he disliked to associate it with his new friend.

From Project Gutenberg

When rapidly deposited, as by artificial precipitation, triple phosphate often takes feathery, star- or leaf-like forms.

From Project Gutenberg

As his system is the foe of all artificial methods, it is par excellence the “Natural” System.

From Project Gutenberg

She still wore the shabby lace and the artificial bunch of violets on the side of her head.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• man-made
• synthetic
• unnatural