fine art

American  

[fahyn ahrt] / ˈfaɪn ˈɑrt /

noun

1. a visual art considered to have been created primarily for aesthetic purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness, specifically, painting, sculpture, drawing, watercolor, graphics, and architecture.

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fine art British  

noun

1. art produced chiefly for its aesthetic value, as opposed to applied art

2. Also called: beaux arts.  (often plural) any of the fields in which such art is produced, such as painting, sculpture, and engraving

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fine art Idioms  

1. Something requiring highly developed techniques and skills, as in He's turned lying into a fine art, or The contractor excels in the fine art of demolition. This term alludes to the fine arts, such as music, painting, and sculpture, which require both skill and talent. It is now often used to describe anything that takes skill to do. [First half of 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of fine art

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Upon completion of their bachelor of fine arts degree in May 2025, they joined full-time.

From Los Angeles Times

The fine arts have long struggled with a so-called graying audience, and have moved mountains to innovate in ways that keep the genres fresh in order to attract younger, excitable crowds.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Sherman long worked as a teacher of practical ceramics, but in retirement has committed himself to creating his own fine art and has only just begun to be exhibited.

From The Wall Street Journal

After years of studying, Riki Auton was beyond excited to start her fine art degree at University of the Arts London.

From BBC

Students on fine art or applied arts courses were particularly angry at the time.

From BBC