adj
arty
AH-tee
Arty (adj) means having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts. Example: “He hangs out with an arty crowd from the film school.”
adj
1
Having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts.
"He hangs out with an arty crowd from the film school."
2
Self-consciously artistic or pretentious in style, often used mildly critically.
"The film was a bit too arty for mainstream audiences."
"Critics dismissed the album as an arty experiment that went nowhere."
How to use arty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone or something with an artistic style — often used with a hint of "trying too hard."
When to use it
Informal; can be affectionate or slightly mocking depending on tone.
Common pairings
arty crowd
arty film
arty photo
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Word forms
- Plural
- arties
- Comparative
- artier
- Superlative
- artiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hangs out with an _____ crowd from the film school.
Etymology
From art + the informal suffix -y, which turns a noun into a casual descriptive adjective (compare "sporty," "horsy").
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for arty
See all rhymes for arty →Frequently asked questions
What does “arty” mean?
The word “arty” means having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts. In plain terms, describes someone or something with an artistic style — often used with a hint of "trying too hard.".
How do you pronounce “arty”?
“Arty” is pronounced AH-tee (/ˈɑː(ɹ)ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “arty” in a sentence?
Here is “arty” used in a sentence: “He hangs out with an arty crowd from the film school.”
What part of speech is “arty”?
“Arty” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “arty” have?
“Arty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts.
