Artful Dictionary Page
Artful
Definitions
- Showing skill or cleverness in achieving something, especially by means of deception or trickery.
- Displaying artistic skill or creativity in a work, often with finesse or flair.
Usage Examples
- Her artful manipulation of the situation impressed everyone in the room.
- The artist's artful strokes gave the painting a dynamic and expressive feel.
Etymology
The word "artful" comes from the late Middle English word "artful," meaning "skilled in the arts." It is derived from the word "art," which itself comes from the Latin word "ars," meaning "skill" or "craft."
Synonyms
- Clever
- Skillful
- Ingenious
- Deceptive
- Crafty
Antonyms
- Clumsy
- Unskilled
- Incompetent
Translations
| Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
| English | Artful | /ˈɑːrtfəl/ |
| Spanish | Hábil | /ˈaβil/ |
| French | Astucieux | /as.ty.sjø/ |
| German | Geschickt | /ɡəˈʃɪkt/ |
| Chinese | 巧妙的 | /qiǎo miào de/ |
| Arabic | محتال | /muḥtāl/ |
| Russian | Хитрый | /ˈxʲitrɨj/ |
| Italian | Abile | /ˈabile/ |
| Portuguese | Hábil | /ˈabɪɫ/ |
| Japanese | 巧妙な | /kōmyō na/ |
| Hindi | कुशल | /kuśal/ |
| Telugu | దక్షుడు | /dakṣuḍu/ |
| Tamil | திறமையான | /tiṟamāyaṉa/ |
| Kannada | ಚಾಣಾಕ್ಷಿ | /cāṇākṣī/ |
| Marathi | कुशल | /kuśal/ |
| Gujarati | હશિયાર | /haśiyār/ |
| Punjabi | ਚਤੁਰ | /catur/ |
| Bengali | চতুর | /catur/ |
| Malayalam | തെളിവായ | /teḷivāya/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "artful" may vary slightly based on regional dialects, but it remains largely consistent across English-speaking countries. In some regions, the emphasis might shift between syllables, such as placing more emphasis on the first syllable in some Southern English dialects.
Historical Usage
The term "artful" has been in use since the 14th century, primarily referring to skill and creativity, often with a connotation of cleverness or craftiness. Over time, the word began to adopt additional meanings, including the idea of being deceitfully skilled or cunning, which persists in contemporary usage.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, "artful" can carry both positive and negative connotations. In the context of art and creativity, it is often used as a compliment to describe someone who is particularly skilled. However, in contexts of deception or trickery, it can have a more negative implication, referring to someone who is manipulative or sly.
More Information
Detailed Article
Artful refers to the ability to accomplish something with skill, craft, and ingenuity. While it is often used in a positive light to describe creative or impressive feats of artistry, the word also carries a nuance of cleverness that can sometimes veer into the realm of deception. In artistic circles, an artful composition or performance can imply a high degree of skill and finesse, often associated with fine arts. In everyday language, calling someone artful could also suggest a certain cunning or tactfulness, especially when handling complex situations or conflicts.