arts

The word “arts” means the academic subjects that study human culture, thought, and expression — languages, literature, history, and philosophy — as opposed to the sciences. In plain terms, a general label for humanities subjects (as opposed to science or maths) in schools and universities.

“Arts” is pronounced ahts (/ɑɹts/ in IPA).

Here is “arts” used in a sentence: “She switched from engineering to a degree in arts.”

“Arts” is a noun.

“Arts” is a fairly common word in modern English.

The arts study human culture, thought, and expression, subjects like literature, history, languages, and philosophy, often through interpretation and argument. The sciences study the natural and physical world through observation, measurement, and experiment. Broadly, the arts explore what it means to be human, while the sciences explain how the world works.

In the academic sense, the arts cover subjects such as languages, literature, history, philosophy, and religious studies, along with related fields like classics and cultural studies. These disciplines focus on human culture and expression. They are sometimes called the humanities, and they contrast with science, mathematics, and technical subjects.

The two terms overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably for subjects like history, literature, and philosophy. "Humanities" is the more precise academic label for those culture-focused disciplines. "Arts" is broader and can also mean the creative and performing arts, such as painting, music, and drama, so context decides which sense is meant.

A Bachelor of Arts, or BA, is an undergraduate degree awarded mainly in arts and humanities subjects such as English, history, or languages. It contrasts with a Bachelor of Science, or BSc, given for scientific and technical fields. The distinction reflects the traditional divide between the arts and the sciences.