artificial
ah-tih-FIHSH-l
Artificial (adj) means Made by humans rather than occurring naturally. Example: “She prefers artificial sweeteners in her tea.”
adj
1
Made by humans rather than occurring naturally.
"She prefers artificial sweeteners in her tea."
"The drink is full of artificial colours and flavours."
"The lake is artificial, created for the new housing estate."
2
Insincere or put on; not genuine.
"His artificial laugh made it clear he did not find the joke funny."
"I dislike his artificial politeness because it never feels genuine."
"Her smile seemed artificial during the interview."
How to use artificial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot natural — either man-made, or fake in manner or feeling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
artificial intelligence
artificial sweetener
artificial light
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more artificial
- Superlative
- most artificial
Fill the gap
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She prefers _____ sweeteners in her tea.
Etymology
From Latin artificialis, from artificium ("a craft" or "skill"), built from ars ("skill") and facere ("to make").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
natural
antonym(s) of
Related words
Rhymes for artificial
See all rhymes for artificial →Frequently asked questions
What does “artificial” mean?
The word “artificial” means made by humans rather than occurring naturally. In plain terms, not natural — either man-made, or fake in manner or feeling.
How do you pronounce “artificial”?
“Artificial” is pronounced ah-tih-FIHSH-l (/ˌɑːr.təˈfɪʃ.l̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “artificial” in a sentence?
Here is “artificial” used in a sentence: “The drink is full of artificial colours and flavours.”
What is another word for “artificial”?
Words with a similar meaning to “artificial” include artificious and factitious.
What is the opposite of “artificial”?
The opposite of “artificial” — its antonyms — is antonym(s) of.
What part of speech is “artificial”?
“Artificial” is an adjective.
Where does the word “artificial” come from?
The word “artificial” comes from Latin. From Latin artificialis, from artificium ("a craft" or "skill"), built from ars ("skill") and facere ("to make").
Is “artificial” a common word?
“Artificial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'artificial' and 'natural'?
'Artificial' means made by humans rather than occurring in nature, so it is the direct opposite of 'natural.' Artificial flowers, for instance, are manufactured, while natural ones grow on plants.
What is the difference between 'artificial' and 'fake'?
Both suggest something is not the real or natural thing, but 'artificial' is more neutral and often technical, as in 'artificial light' or 'artificial intelligence,' while 'fake' usually implies an intent to deceive. Artificial things are not always meant to fool anyone.
What is the difference between 'artificial' and 'synthetic'?
The two overlap, but 'synthetic' specifically means made by chemical synthesis, often to copy a natural material, as with synthetic rubber. 'Artificial' is broader and simply means human-made rather than naturally occurring.
Can 'artificial' describe a person's behaviour?
Yes. Beyond meaning man-made, 'artificial' can describe behaviour that is insincere or put on, such as an 'artificial smile' or 'artificial politeness' that does not reflect genuine feeling.
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