artificial

[ ahr-tuh-fish-uhl ]

adjective

1. made by human skill; produced by humans ( natural ):

   artificial flowers.

   Synonyms: synthetic

2. imitation; simulated; sham:

   artificial vanilla flavoring.

   Synonyms: factitious, counterfeit

   Antonyms: real, genuine

3. lacking naturalness or spontaneity; forced; contrived; feigned:

   an artificial smile.

   Synonyms: factitious, counterfeit

4. full of affectation; affected; stilted:

   artificial manners; artificial speech.

   Synonyms: pretentious

5. made without regard to the particular needs of a situation, person, etc.; imposed arbitrarily; unnatural:

   artificial rules for dormitory residents.

6. Biology. based on arbitrary, superficial characteristics rather than natural, organic relationships:

   an artificial system of classification.

7. Jewelry. manufactured to resemble a natural gem, in chemical composition or appearance. Compare assembled, imitation ( def 11 ), synthetic ( def 6 ).

artificial

/ ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl; ˌɑːtɪˌfɪʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. produced by man; not occurring naturally

   artificial materials of great strength

2. made in imitation of a natural product, esp as a substitute; not genuine

   artificial cream

3. pretended; assumed; insincere

   an artificial manner

4. lacking in spontaneity; affected

   an artificial laugh

5. biology relating to superficial characteristics not based on the interrelationships of organisms

   an artificial classification

Derived Forms

• artificiality, noun
• ˌartiˈficially, adverb

Other Words From

• arti·ficial·ly adverb
• arti·ficial·ness noun
• over·arti·ficial adjective
• over·arti·ficial·ly adverb
• super·arti·ficial adjective
• super·arti·ficial·ly adverb
• unar·ti·ficial adjective
• unar·ti·ficial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin artificiālis “contrived by art”; equivalent to artifice + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial¹

C14: from Latin artificiālis belonging to art, from artificium skill, artifice

Example Sentences

This type of period piece can often feel artificial, even or especially on a big budget.

From Los Angeles Times

Technology stocks, in particular, are expected to drive future gains, fueled by growth potential in artificial intelligence.

From Salon

Musk’s startup xAI doesn’t appear to have federal government contracts, but artificial intelligence companies could benefit in other ways under Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s views on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, electric vehicles and other issues could reshape the tech industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Americans for Responsible Innovation, an advocacy group, wants Musk to become a strategic AI advisor to Trump, saying, “As artificial intelligence races ahead, the U.S. should lead the world in advancing AI safely and securely.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• man-made
• synthetic
• unnatural