artificial

adjective

ar·​ti·​fi·​cial ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shᵊl 

1

a

: made, produced, or done by humans especially to seem like something natural : man-made

an artificial reef

artificial sweetener

an artificial limb

artificial diamonds

see also artificial intelligence

b

medical : serving to temporarily or permanently supplement or replace a usually vital bodily function or necessary substance (such as nutrients or water)

artificial hydration

Ezekiel, who has relied on artificial nutrition since he was a baby, because of food allergies and eating problems, receives most of his nutrition through tube feeding …

—Gavin Engelbrecht

see also artificial insemination, artificial respiration

2

: caused or produced by human actions or methods especially for economic, social, or political aims

King [Martin Luther King Jr.] often pointed out that national boundaries were artificial. In September of 1964, during a visit to Germany, he thrilled audiences in both East and West Berlin with his talk of the need for brotherhood to a people divided by the Berlin Wall.

—Jason Sokol

Within these companies, qualified women run into artificial barriers that prevent them from advancing to top positions in management.

—James J. Kilpatrick

Yet if the characters in a children's novel are as complex, the symbolism as sophisticated, and the themes as profound as those in serious fiction, what makes it unsuitable for adults? What if the distinction between children's literature and adult literature is artificial to begin with?

—Maria Devlin McNair

3

a

: not being, showing, or resembling sincere or spontaneous behavior : fake

an artificial smile

Their concern seemed artificial.

He's artificial and soulless and certainly not above being a poseur.

—Ben Wener and Martin Wisckol

… everything about the movie feels artificial, from the singers' blatantly Auto-Tuned voices to the CGI acrobatics.

—Stephanie Merry

… some of the younger thesps prove adept at sending up the social airs and artificial mannerisms of their characters …

—Marilyn Stasio

Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile, / And cry 'Content' to that which grieves my heart, / And wet my cheeks with artificial tears, / And frame my face to all occasions.

—William Shakespeare

b

: imitation, sham

… the show does include fake … weapons, and although it is not loud, an artificial gun sound will be produced.

—Candy Grande

4

in biological classification : based on differential morphological characters not necessarily indicative of natural relationships

Another fundamental type is an artificial classification system, in which several key characters, often very easy to observe, are chosen as the basis of classification. Good examples are roadside floras and picture guides to plants, birds, and mammals …

—James D. Mauseth

These qualities can be incorporated into a natural key (a key that follows a natural classification), but they are more frequently realized in an artificial key.

—E. O. Wiley and Bruce S. Lieberman

5

archaic : artful, cunning

artificiality

ˌär-tə-ˌfi-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

plural artificialities

artificially

ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shᵊl-ē 

adverb

artificialness

ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• affected
• assumed
• bogus
• contrived
• factitious
• fake
• false
• feigned
• forced
• mechanical
• mock
• phony
• phoney
• plastic
• pretended
• pseudo
• put-on
• sham
• simulated
• spurious
• strained
• unnatural

Examples of artificial in a Sentence

the world's first artificial heart

This product contains no artificial colors natural substances are used.

The country's borders are artificial, and were set with no consideration for the various ethnic groups in the region.

Recent Examples on the Web

When shopping for vanilla bean paste, look for products made with bean seeds or extracts rather than artificial flavors. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024

Leading to the pop-up was an artificial yellow brick road, just like the one leading to the Emerald City on the silver screen in Wicked. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Instead, the most visible use of AI in many countries was to create memes and content whose artificial origins weren't disguised. —Shannon Bond, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024

While real-tree aficionados will be taking theirs to the curb, those with artificial ones need the best Christmas tree storage possible to protect their tree until the next holiday season. —Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "devised by humans (as opposed to originating naturally or divinely)," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French artificiel, borrowed from Medieval Latin artificiālis "produced by human skill, skilled, artistic," going back to Latin, "furnished or contrived by art (in rhetoric)," from artificium "artistry, craftsmanship, craft" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at artifice

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing artificial

• artificial horizon
• artificial insemination
• artificial intelligence
• artificial light
• artificial respiration
• artificial selection
• artificial ventilation
• generative artificial intelligence

Kids Definition

artificial

adjective

ar·​ti·​fi·​cial ˌärt-ə-ˈfish-əl 

1

: made, produced, or performed by human beings often following a natural model or process

artificial flowers

artificial pollination

2

: not genuine or sincere : forced

an artificial smile

artificiality

ˌärt-ə-ˌfish-ē-ˈal-ət-ē 

noun

artificially

ˌärt-ə-ˈfish-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

Middle English artificial "made or done by humans rather than occurring in nature," from early French artificiel (same meaning) or Latin artificialis "contrived by art," from Latin artificium "skill, artistry, craft," derived from arti- (from art-, ars "skill") and facere "to make, do" — related to fashion, manufacture, perfect

Medical Definition

artificial

adjective

ar·​ti·​fi·​cial ˌärt-ə-ˈfish-əl 

1

a

: made, produced, or done by humans especially to seem like something natural

an artificial limb

b

: serving to temporarily or permanently supplement or replace a usually vital bodily function or necessary substance (such as nutrients or water)

artificial feeding through a tube

see also artificial insemination, artificial respiration

2

in biological classification : based on differential morphological characters not necessarily indicative of natural relationships

an artificial key for identification of a group of organisms

artificially

-ˈfish-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

artificial

adjective

ar·​ti·​fi·​cial

1

a

: made by humans

artificial accessions

compare natural

b

: caused or produced by a human and especially social or political agency

an artificial price advantage

2

: arising through operation of law

artificially adverb