arty

¹

[ ahr-tee ]

adjective

, Informal.

, art·i·er, art·i·est.

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

Arty

²

[ ahr-tee ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Arthur.

Arty.

³

abbreviation for

1. Artillery.

arty

/ ˈɑːtɪ /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• ˈartiness, noun

Other Words From

• arti·ly adverb
• arti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arty¹

First recorded in 1900–05; art ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

There are young rock chicks and rock-boys and arty-looking men and women, in plaid, denim, ripped and stretched cardigans.

From The Daily Beast

In their different styles, then, both Lennon and McCartney had gotten arty and their music changed.

From The Daily Beast

Still, as Lennon/McCartney got increasingly arty, Harrison was stung and he began chasing.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Cosmopolis is too arty and abstract, even by Cronenberg standards, to become a commercial success.

From The Daily Beast

In every church—and there arty 866 of them—some score or two of masses are said daily at the different altars.

From Project Gutenberg

No, really, I like some of the others—four or five of them; but I don't like Arty.

From Project Gutenberg

As regards anything Arty or Crafty his attitude is merely appreciative—he is finishing up his last year of law at Columbia.

From Project Gutenberg

To think I should never see Arty again, would make me die before my time!

From Project Gutenberg

Peter thought, perceiving that Mrs. Lovick's "Arty" was now altogether one of the family.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pretentious