artist

[ ahr-tist ]

noun

1. a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.
2. a person who practices one of the fine arts, especially a painter or sculptor.
3. a person whose trade or profession requires a knowledge of design, drawing, painting, etc.:

   a commercial artist.

4. a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, or singer; a public performer:

   a mime artist; an artist of the dance.

5. a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill.
6. a person who is expert at trickery or deceit:

   He's an artist with cards.

7. Obsolete. an artisan.

artist

/ ˈɑːtɪst /

noun

1. a person who practises or is skilled in an art, esp painting, drawing, or sculpture
2. a person who displays in his work qualities required in art, such as sensibility and imagination
3. a person whose profession requires artistic expertise, esp a designer

   a commercial artist

4. a person skilled in some task or occupation

   an artist at bricklaying

5. obsolete.
   an artisan
6. slang.
   a person devoted to or proficient in something

   a con artist

   a booze artist

Word History and Origins

Origin of artist¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Middle French artiste, from Medieval Latin artista “master of arts”; equivalent to art ¹ + -ist

Synonym Study

Artist, artisan, artiste are persons having superior skill or ability, or who are capable of producing superior work. An artist is a person engaged in some type of fine art. An artisan is engaged in a craft or applied art. An artiste is usually a skilled public performer.

Example Sentences

As the saying goes, if “great artists steal,” the Chargers have become master painters, with “Charm City” the perfect place to start, even if it is 2,700 miles away.

From Los Angeles Times

His paintings, unlike his drawings, consist largely of landscapes — nature scenes as well as overhead views of empty Austrian villages unperturbed by artists’ models or even the decently clothed.

From New York Times

The studio is now an artist’s dream, with two kilns, ample space to work, storage and a dedicated area where Hsiao can pack her orders.

From Los Angeles Times

The artist, 45, is thinking specifically about his 9-year-old son back in the U.K.

From Los Angeles Times

“I feel like working on a memorial is an artist’s highest calling,” he said, adding that he debated for almost two months.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artisan
• composer
• expert
• inventor
• painter