artificial

American  

[ahr-tuh-fish-uhl] / ˌɑr təˈfɪʃ əl /

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.

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artificial British  

/ ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl, ˌɑːtɪˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

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

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Usage

What does artificial mean? Artificial is used to describe things that are made or manufactured as opposed to occurring naturally. Artificial is often used as the opposite of natural. A close synonym of artificial is synthetic. This sense of the word is often used in the context of food to describe things like ingredients, flavors, additives, and preservatives that are chemically processed. Food packaging often specifies whether a product has natural or artificial flavors (or both). An artificial sweetener is a kind of chemical used as a substitute for sugar, such as in diet sodas. Artificial is not only used in the context of food. Artificial turf is a grasslike surface used for sports playing fields. Artificial diamonds are those that are manufactured, as opposed to those that have developed through natural processes in the earth. Artificial flowers are often used as decorations. Artificial intelligence generally refers to the ability of a computer to function in a way that mimics or is likened to the human mind. Sometimes, artificial is used in a more negative way to describe something as fake or imitation, as in Something about this tastes artificial. This sense of the word is sometimes used figuratively to describe something as being faked, phony, or contrived—the opposite of real or genuine, as in an artificial smile.  Example: The stadium just installed a field with artificial grass that is supposed to feel identical to real grass. 

Other Word Forms

• artificiality noun
• artificially adverb
• artificialness noun
• overartificial adjective
• overartificially adverb
• superartificial adjective
• superartificially adverb
• unartificial adjective
• unartificially adverb

Etymology

Origin of artificial

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

Explanation

From fake flowers to faux food flavors, our world is full of things that are artificial –- that is, produced by humans rather than by nature. While artificial can simply mean “made by humans,” it’s often used in a negative sense, conveying the idea that an artificial product is inferior to the real thing. If you remark that your friend’s new hair color looks artificial, for example, you’re not paying her a compliment. Artificial can also describe a behavior or expression that seems insincere — much like the smile on your girlfriend’s face if you bring her artificial flowers instead of real ones.

Example Sentences

If you had as much trouble getting along with other humans as Sam Altman does, you too might be eager to issue in the artificial intelligence revolution.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Further sowing online confusion were claims that the entire Artemis II mission was a hoax powered by artificial intelligence tools.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

She said by hiring a retired gamekeeper they had managed to bring a lot of people onside and shooting estates are now helping to build artificial nests.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Last March, RFK Jr. urged CEOs of food industry giants to stop using artificial food dyes in their products.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Ms. Rostoff rubs her artificial nails against her thumb, then checks her watch again.

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• man-made
• synthetic
• unnatural