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

“Brighter Days” finds the artist fusing rock ’n’ roll, country and bluegrass touchstones into a clarity of vision that he’s honed since rising from the Los Angeles cowpunk scene in the 1980s.

From Los Angeles Times

The singer, songwriter and actor had long played by his own rules as a bachelor and a fiercely independent artist.

From Los Angeles Times

In August, he unveiled a bizarre statue of Chan, apparently made of oxidised green copper and steel, by artist Daniel Arsham.

From BBC

When Myles Smith reflects on his journey - from an 11-year-old kid playing guitar and piano to a charting artist - he feels he's continuously exceeded his own expectations.

From BBC

"Social media in general is so significant to an artist’s journey," he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• artisan
• composer
• expert
• inventor
• painter