arty

[ ahr-tee ]

/ ˈɑr ti /

Save This Word!

adjective, art·i·er, art·i·est.Informal.

characterized by a showy, pretentious, and often spurious display of artistic interest, manner, or mannerism.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also artsy.

Origin of arty

First recorded in 1900–05; art¹ + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM arty

art·i·ly, adverbart·i·ness, noun

Words nearby arty

art therapy, art union, Artur, artware, artwork, arty, arty-crafty, arty-farty, Artzybasheff, Artzybashev, Aruba

Other definitions for arty (2 of 3)

Arty

[ ahr-tee ]

/ ˈɑr ti /

noun

a male given name, form of Arthur.

Other definitions for arty (3 of 3)

Arty.

abbreviation

Artillery.

How to use arty in a sentence

There are young rock chicks and rock-boys and arty-looking men and women, in plaid, denim, ripped and stretched cardigans.
The Cult of Blondie: Debbie Harry’s Very Special New York Picture Show|Tim Teeman|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In their different styles, then, both Lennon and McCartney had gotten arty and their music changed.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers|Nik Cohn|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, as Lennon/McCartney got increasingly arty, Harrison was stung and he began chasing.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers|Nik Cohn|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If nobody is with us, we might watch something arty—there are marvelous channels of opera or concerts—then go to bed and read.
How I Write: Diane Johnson|Noah Charney|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Cosmopolis is too arty and abstract, even by Cronenberg standards, to become a commercial success.
‘Cosmopolis’ Suggests ‘Twilight’ Star Robert Pattinson Can Act|Geoff Berkshire|August 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In every church—and there arty 866 of them—some score or two of masses are said daily at the different altars.
Rule of the Monk|Giuseppe Garibaldi
No, really, I like some of the others—four or five of them; but I don't like Arty.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
As regards anything Arty or Crafty his attitude is merely appreciative—he is finishing up his last year of law at Columbia.
Young People's Pride|Stephen Vincent Benet
To think I should never see Arty again, would make me die before my time!
There and Back|George MacDonald
Peter thought, perceiving that Mrs. Lovick's "Arty" was now altogether one of the family.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for arty

arty

US artsy

/ (ˈɑːtɪ) /

adjective artier or artiest

informal having an ostentatious or affected interest in or desire to imitate artists or artistic standards

Derived forms of arty

artiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

arty

Origin of arty

OTHER WORDS FROM arty

Words nearby arty

Other definitions for arty (2 of 3)

Other definitions for arty (3 of 3)

Words related to arty

How to use arty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for arty

US artsy

Derived forms of arty