artificial
Americanadjective
-
made by human skill; produced by humans (opposed to natural).
artificial flowers.
- Synonyms:
- synthetic
-
imitation; simulated; sham.
artificial vanilla flavoring.
- Synonyms:
- factitious, counterfeit
-
lacking naturalness or spontaneity; forced; contrived; feigned.
an artificial smile.
- Synonyms:
- factitious, counterfeit
-
full of affectation; affected; stilted.
artificial manners; artificial speech.
- Synonyms:
- pretentious
-
made without regard to the particular needs of a situation, person, etc.; imposed arbitrarily; unnatural.
artificial rules for dormitory residents.
-
Biology. based on arbitrary, superficial characteristics rather than natural, organic relationships.
an artificial system of classification.
-
Jewelry. manufactured to resemble a natural gem, in chemical composition or appearance.
adjective
-
produced by man; not occurring naturally
artificial materials of great strength
-
made in imitation of a natural product, esp as a substitute; not genuine
artificial cream
-
pretended; assumed; insincere
an artificial manner
-
lacking in spontaneity; affected
an artificial laugh
-
biology relating to superficial characteristics not based on the interrelationships of organisms
an artificial classification
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing artificial
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
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The Launch of Sputnik 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Finback Investment Partners, co-founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has raised nearly $500 million to tap in to a capital investment boom tied to artificial intelligence technology.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Amazon.com has changed the way customers can use artificial intelligence to shop, as the tech giant takes a step toward putting automation at the forefront of users’ purchasing experiences.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Reese Witherspoon has long championed the creative community, but a recent social media post hyping artificial intelligence isn’t sitting well with writers and authors.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Cisco Systems stock was surging late Wednesday, after the networking giant said it would lay off workers and invest more heavily in artificial intelligence.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
I stare at the stump and then the artificial leg.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
