artless

[ ahrt-lis ]

adjective

1. free from deceit, cunning, or craftiness; ingenuous:

   an artless child.

   Synonyms: sincere, candid, unaffected, plain, frank, open, guileless, unsophisticated, naive

   Antonyms: cunning

2. not artificial; natural; simple; uncontrived:

   artless beauty; artless charm.

3. lacking art, knowledge, or skill.
4. poorly made; inartistic; clumsy; crude:

   an artless translation.

artless

/ ˈɑːtlɪs /

adjective

1. free from deceit, guile, or artfulness; ingenuous

   an artless remark

2. natural, without artifice; unpretentious

   artless elegance

3. without art or skill

Derived Forms

• ˈartlessly, adverb
• ˈartlessness, noun

Other Words From

• artless·ly adverb
• artless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of artless¹

First recorded in 1580–90; art ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

Roger Goodell has a last chance to rescue his reputation as an NFL commissioner, and maybe even become an important one, despite years of artless dodging on issues from domestic violence to Deflategate.

From Washington Post

To induce this perception, every artless-seeming sentence here has been calculated, re-examined and endlessly tweaked.

From Washington Post

Closest as in “closest to her heart,” or something clutched, or something unvarnished, artless, some plain truth?

From The Daily Beast

Relevant backstory is condensed into a few lines of artless dialogue.

From The Daily Beast

It was spoken as if by a condemned man: largely devoid of emotion, implausible, halting, artless, and sad.

From The Daily Beast

"Oh, but dear Mrs. Dodd, suppose she couldn't help it," said the artless maiden with a blush and a little sigh.

From Project Gutenberg

With eyes still fixed intent upon the ground,I saw but her, whose artless innocence,Triumphant took possession of this heart.

From Project Gutenberg

She had an artless way of administering cruel stabs to her female acquaintances which frequently turned them into enemies.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamont had been attracted by Menotah's artless beauty, her joyous laughter, and caressing ways.

From Project Gutenberg

A young sportsman on the bank who had joined me expressed his artless disappointment.

From Project Gutenberg