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

Having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts.

"He hangs out with an arty crowd from the film school."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

artier comparative, arties plural, artiest superlative

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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").

Rhymes for arty

party Marty hearty smarty Fogarty Moriarty

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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.