arty

¹

[ ahr-tee ]

adjective

, Informal.

, art·i·er, art·i·est.

1. characterized by a showy, pretentious, and often spurious display of artistic interest, manner, or mannerism.

Arty

²

[ ahr-tee ]

noun

1. a first name, form of Arthur.

Arty.

³

abbreviation for

1. Artillery.

arty

/ ˈɑːtɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   having an ostentatious or affected interest in or desire to imitate artists or artistic standards

Derived Forms

• ˈartiness, noun

Other Words From

• arti·ly adverb
• arti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arty¹

First recorded in 1900–05; art ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"I was never really an arty person," he said.

From BBC

Even before our trio signs anything, there are a script, a cast and arty twin-sister directors, “hot off their Grand Prix at Cannes and their super-duper viral Walmart ad campaign,” already in place.

From Los Angeles Times

"My wife is the arty one," he said while decorating cookies with children at the center.

From Salon

The Prince of Wales has visited a youth centre in London and taken part in activities, including a biscuit-decorating session where he quipped: "My wife's the arty one".

From BBC

It’s haunting, self-consciously arty and ultimately distancing — some mysteries of loss are harder to convey.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pretentious