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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Launch of Sputnik 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
What’s alarmist and what’s real about artificial intelligence.
From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2026
In submitting its plans to list its shares, Anthropic, one of the world's leading artificial intelligence companies, reported first-half revenue surged about 1,300 percent year-on-year, but also flagged safety risks.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
Microsoft is offering buyouts to 60,000 employees — roughly a quarter of its global workforce — as the company looks to slash costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
A 1961 newspaper report on an early attempt at artificial intelligence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
According to them the scientific method is somehow natural, like walking, not artificial, like a watch.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
