artisan

[ ahr-tuh-zuhn ]

noun

1. a person skilled in a utilitarian art, trade, or craft, especially one requiring manual skill; a craftsperson.
2. a person or company that makes a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods:

   our favorite local food artisans.

adjective

1. pertaining to an artisan or the product of an artisan; artisanal:

   artisan beer.

artisan

/ ɑːˈtɪzənəl; ˈɑːtɪˌzæn; ˈɑːtɪzənəl; ˌɑːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. a skilled workman; craftsman
2. obsolete.
   an artist

Derived Forms

• artisanal, adjective

Other Words From

• ar·ti·san·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of artisan¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from French, from Italian artigiano, equivalent to Latin artīt(us) “trained in arts and crafts” (past participle of artīre ) + Italian -iano (from Latin -iānus ); art ¹, -ite ², -ian

Word History and Origins

Origin of artisan¹

C16: from French, from Old Italian artigiano, from arte art ¹

Synonym Study

See artist.

Example Sentences

More than 22 tonnes of three artisan cheddars - Hafod Welsh, Westcombe, and Pitchfork - which are all award-winning and have a high monetary value, were taken.

From BBC

"We are truly touched that so many people in the artisan cheese community and beyond are standing with us. It's a reminder of why we love the work we do."

From BBC

The hundreds of truckles of cheese were made up of three artisan cheddars - Hafod Welsh, Westcombe and Pitchfork - which are all award-winning and have a high monetary value.

From BBC

More than 22 tonnes of three artisan cheddars, including Hafod Welsh, Westcombe, and Pitchfork were taken, which are all award-winning and have a high monetary value.

From BBC

Those who love it, like the Cockney Modern Festival organisers, say it is an artisan food with recipes handed down throughout generations "like precious family heirlooms".

From BBC

Related Words

• builder
• carpenter
• craftsman
• professional