artisan
Americannoun
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a person skilled in a utilitarian art, trade, or craft, especially one requiring manual skill; a craftsperson.
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a person or company that makes a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods.
our favorite local food artisans.
adjective
noun
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a skilled workman; craftsman
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obsolete an artist
Synonym Usage
See artist.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of artisan
First recorded in 1530–40; from French, from Italian artigiano, equivalent to Latin artīt(us) “trained in arts and crafts” (past participle of artīre ) + Italian -iano (from Latin -iānus ); see art 1, -ite 2, -ian
Compare meaning
How does artisan compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An artisan has both the creativity and the skill to make a product. Wandering around a local craft fair, you will often see artisans selling handicrafts like pot holders or beaded jewelry. In medieval times, blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons were artisan trades. Unskilled laborers were not. The hierarchy of skill and prestige among artisans, from apprentice to journeyman to master, is sometimes reflected in ranks among today’s trade union members. But today an artisan can just be someone who makes attractive and creative work with their hands, like jewelry or pottery. Although, if they're trying to sell their goods, it probably helps if they're very skilled.
Vocabulary lists containing artisan
Mesopotamia - Introductory
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Ancient Egypt and Kush, Lessons 1–3
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Medieval Europe - Introductory
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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.
Artisan Gianluca Galli was seen kneeling before the mosaic, working to cut new pieces of stone by hand as curious onlookers gathered around him.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Brian Louko, portfolio manager for the Artisan Partners Global Special Situations Strategy fund, recommended Montana Aerospace, a Switzerland-based parts supplier for aircraft manufacturers.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
In the quarter, the company logged $149 million in pre-tax expenses associated with the acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
Artisan Partners, BlackRock and the Qatar Investment Authority bought €900 million worth of stock, the company said.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 23, 2026
At Birmingham too, there is a Public Garden, similar to that at Manchester, where we hope the Artisan may enjoy a sight at least of nature's gladdening beauties.
From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 19, No. 536, March 3, 1832 by Various
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.
