artisan

American  

[ahr-tuh-zuhn] / ˈɑr tə zən /

noun

• artisans
  plural

1. a person skilled in a utilitarian art, trade, or craft, especially one requiring manual skill; a craftsperson.

2. 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.

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adjective

1. pertaining to an artisan or the product of an artisan; artisanal.

   artisan beer.

artisan British  

/ ˈɑːtɪˌzæn, ˌɑːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. a skilled workman; craftsman

2. obsolete an artist

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Synonym Usage

See artist.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• artisanship
  noun
• artisanal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• artisans
  plural

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:

• artisan vs. artesian

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

artisan artisans

She initially launched her brand under the moniker American Riviera Orchard, specializing in artisan jams she notably gifted to celebs, including Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Scientists have identified the bacteria that help give three British artisan cheeses their distinctive flavors, and some of those microbes may also have potential benefits for human health.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Sadi Tribak, a 38-year-old artisan from Tangier, drove to Fnideq with his children as soon as he heard the rumours about the open border.

From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026

At one point, he introduces us to a late-medieval artisan, Johann Gensfleisch, whom he calls Johann and whom others—including the reader—would call Gutenberg.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

Dennis was an excellent leather- maker and artisan type and he quickly became Aunt Mary’s best worker.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

WSJ spoke with archaeologists and artisans about the business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

We watched candle-dipping artisans at work with wide eyes, heard the screaming whistle of the authentic steam locomotive train, and perused each room of the Dolly Parton Experience museum with glee.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

After visiting Nisa, the 20 or so tourists with her group returned to Ashgabat for Carpet Day -- a national holiday honouring Turkmen rug artisans -- before visiting yurts and tasting local produce.

From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026

The litany hails him as the renowned offspring of David, who handed Christ a king’s lineage and a contested throne, and calls him the terror of demons and the model of artisans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

“The problem is that we no longer have artisans in this country,” Ranyinudo said.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• builder
• carpenter
• craftsman
• professional