arts

British  

/ ɑːts /

plural noun

1. 1. imaginative, creative, and nonscientific branches of knowledge considered collectively, esp as studied academically

   2. ( as modifier )

      an arts degree

2. See fine art

3. cunning or crafty actions or plots; schemes

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Explanation

The arts are subjects that you study in school which have some artistic or social aspect, rather than being purely practical or job-related. If you major in English and minor in music, you're studying the arts. University subjects and separate colleges — and often even the degrees they award — are sometimes divided into arts and sciences. The arts include things like dance and photography, but also subjects such as Latin or religion. Sciences include, obviously, science, but also more professional and occupational studies. The root of arts is the Latin ars, "art."

Example Sentences

He has slapped his name on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and transformed its mission, and he has announced the facility’s closure for a two-year renovation project later this year.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Electronic Arts EA -0.12%decrease; red down pointing triangle logged higher profit and revenue in its latest quarter as net bookings increased.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Aberdeen Performing Arts said it was not affiliated to any political stance or cause.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

She attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and has a Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College in political science and religious studies, according to her LinkedIn profile.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Until Mr. Barone showed me the listing for Performing Arts High School, I hadn’t known what to do.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago