artful

[ahrt-fuh l]

See more synonyms for artful on Thesaurus.com

adjective

slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky: artful schemes.
skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious: an artful choice of metaphors and similes.
done with or characterized by art or skill: artful acting; artful repairs.

Archaic. artificial.

Origin of artful

First recorded in 1605–15; art¹ + -ful

Related formsart·ful·ly, adverbart·ful·ness, nounun·art·ful, adjectiveun·art·ful·ly, adverbun·art·ful·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for artful

ingenious, sly, adroit, slick, shrewd, masterly, adept, clever, crafty, designing, dexterous, foxy, politic, proficient, resourceful, scheming, sharp, smart, smooth, tricky

Examples from the Web for artful

Contemporary Examples of artful

Free from strict rules, Japanese distillers are making innovative, artful concoctions.
Watch Out, Scotland! Japanese Whisky Is on the Rise
Kayleigh Kulp
November 16, 2014
He was as striking in person as he is on screen—thin, white v-neck t-shirt, two-day scruff, artful bedhead.
Robert Pattinson’s Life After ‘Twilight’
Andrew Romano
June 13, 2014
All this artful excess seems intended to disorient and disinhibit guests descending from the busy theater district above.
Interactive Play ‘Queen of the Night’ Opens at Restored Diamond Horseshoe Club
Brian Spitulnik
December 31, 2013
With her artful fusion of fact and fiction, Phillips pulls off a rare sense of lightness and grace at the end of the novel.
Murder, She Wrote: Jayne Anne Phillips on Her New Novel
Jane Ciabattari
October 21, 2013
For this ensemble, Britney matched silky black pants with an artful, geometric corset.
Britney Spears's 10 Looks in "Work Bitch"
Amy Zimmerman
October 2, 2013

Historical Examples of artful

To be "infirm of purpose" is to be at the mercy of the artful or at the disposal of accident.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
If she fell, should he not save his friend from being the dupe of an artful intriguante?
Calderon The Courtier
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Is incensed against him for his artful dealings with her, and for his selfish love.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
She raves at him for the artful manner in which he urges Clarissa to marry him.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
A preconcerted, forward, and artful flight, it must undoubtedly appear to them.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for artful

artful

adjective

cunning or tricky
skilful in achieving a desired end
archaic characterized by skill or art
archaic artificial

Derived Formsartfully, adverbartfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for artful

adj.

1610s, "learned, well-versed in the (liberal) arts," also "characterized by technical skill," from art (n.) + -ful. Meaning "skilled in adapting means to ends" is from 1739. Related: Artfully; artfulness.