artisanal

American  

[ahr-tuh-zuh-nl, ahr-tiz-uh-] / ˈɑr tə zə nl, ɑrˈtɪz ə- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or noting a person skilled in a utilitarian art, trade, or craft, especially one requiring manual skill.

   The men were taught artisanal occupations such as bricklaying and carpentry.

2. pertaining to or noting a high-quality or distinctive product made in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods.

   artisanal cheese;

   an artisanal bakery.

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Etymology

Origin of artisanal

First recorded in 1935–40; artisan + -al ¹

Explanation

Something artisanal is made by hand and very special. The little wooden spoon your sister carved is artisanal, and so is the honey from your neighbors' beehive. This adjective describes things made by artisans, or skilled craftspeople. Artisanal bread might be hand-kneaded and baked in a wood-fired oven, while an artisanal ax is forged by hand in a small blacksmith's shop. Artisanal is from the Latin artitus, "skilled," and a root meaning "art." The word has become so popular that some factory-made snack foods claim to be artisanal; unless a product was crafted by hand in small batches, don't believe it!

Example Sentences

One, Todd Kapostasy’s “Bong Voyage,” about the rise and fall and rise of artisanal glassblower Jason Harris, is narrated by one of his creations and includes such dumb puns as “fine piece of glass.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

That reflects just a share of the often-hidden factors driving up the cost of doing business for artisanal purveyors like Reverie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

You can buy Mexican food and artisanal margaritas and enjoy free homemade baked goods.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Women, children and artisanal miners - those not officially employed by a mining firm - are among those killed in the collapse.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Slabs of real smoked salmon, hard-crusted artisanal breads, and a waffle station with every conceivable topping.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman