artistic

Also ar·tis·ti·cal

[ahr-tis-tik]

adjective

1. conforming to the standards of art; satisfying aesthetic requirements.

   artistic productions.

2. showing skill or excellence in execution.

   artistic workmanship.

3. exhibiting taste, discriminating judgment, or sensitivity.

   an artistic arrangement of flowers; artistic handling of a delicate diplomatic situation.

4. exhibiting an involvement in or appreciation of art, especially the fine arts.

   He had wide-ranging artistic interests.

5. involving only aesthetic considerations, usually taken as excluding moral, practical, religious, political, or similar concerns.

   artistic principles.

6. of art or artists.

   artistic works.

7. of, like, or thought of as characteristic of an artist.

   an artistic temperament.

Other Word Forms

• artistically adverb
• interartistic adjective
• nonartistic adjective
• nonartistical adjective
• nonartistically adverb
• preartistic adjective
• pseudoartistic adjective
• pseudoartistically adverb
• quasi-artistic adjective
• quasi-artistically adverb
• unartistic adjective
• unartistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of artistic¹

First recorded in 1745–55; artist + -ic

Example Sentences

The Saudi government’s General Entertainment Authority, the body producing the festival, said the event “reflects the efforts to amplify Riyadh’s status as a leading destination for major cultural and artistic events.”

From Los Angeles Times

They’re working to expand the canon to include women and artists of color who have contributed greatly to artistic heritage and cultural dialogue over the centuries but remain largely underrepresented.

From Los Angeles Times

The West Coast premiere of “Fly Me To the Sun” at the Fountain Theatre marks Raymond O. Caldwell’s directorial debut as the venue’s artistic director.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps with some artistic licence, Bird claimed that Lamb had forgotten to leave his mobile phone in the dressing room, and persuaded the umpire to look after it for him.

From BBC

Los Angeles artist Ken Gonzales-Day has harnessed the power of artistic erasure in a related — if very different — way.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aesthetic 
• creative 
• decorative 
• dramatic 
• imaginative 
• musical