Synonyms

visual arts

American

plural noun

the arts created primarily for visual perception, as drawing, graphics, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts.

visual arts British

plural noun

the arts of painting, sculpting, photography, etc, as opposed to music, drama, and literature

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the most prestigious awards for visual arts, the Turner Prize was established in 1984 to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Unlike the other visual arts, photography nowadays is practiced by virtually everyone and, to a greater extent than the other visual arts, it is put to more uses than just aesthetic pleasure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

When he returned to L.A., where he had studied journalism at USC, Nicholas took classes in the visual arts and built a law practice that included representation of artists and galleries.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2025

However, studies examining the benefits of visual arts training for neurology residents remain scarce.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2024

Sonny gives us dap and goes off to the visual arts wing.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023