artist

noun

art·​ist ˈär-tist 

plural artists

1

a

: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination

the great artists of the Renaissance

an artist specializing in watercolors

b

: a person skilled in any of the arts

I can't draw at all, but both of my children are very talented artists.

2

: a skilled performer

a trapeze artist

especially : a musical or theatrical entertainer : artiste

a jazz artist

3

: a person who is very good at something

a scam artist

a strikeout artist

4

a

obsolete : one skilled or versed in learned arts

b

archaic : physician

c

archaic : artisan sense 1

Synonyms of artist

• expert
• scholar
• master
• virtuoso
• adept
• wizard
• guru

Examples of artist in a Sentence

the great artists of the Renaissance

a pitcher who is a strikeout artist

Recent Examples on the Web

The experience exposed her to the work of American video artists Gary Hill and Bill Viola, who offered influential examples of new videomaking approaches. —Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Of the largest ten foundations from the 500 reviewed by AEFI, the Low Road Foundation, established by Jasper Johns, is the only one that has continued growing in size while the artist is still alive. —Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026

The celebrity makeup artist, who debuted his brand in 2003 on QVC, is relaunching it. —James Manso, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

Designed by artist Morgan Kendall, this gift can be personalized with your choice of color, format, and silhouette. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French artiste "person practicing a craft, student of the liberal arts," borrowed from Medieval Latin artista "artificer, student of the liberal arts," from Latin art-, ars "acquired skill, art entry 1" + -ista -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Phrases Containing artist

• con artist
• Conceptual artist
• escape artist
• flimflam artist/man
• paleo-artist
• Pop artist
• recording artist

Rhymes for artist

• chartist
• smartest
• bonapartist

Kids Definition

artist

noun

art·​ist ˈärt-əst 

1

: a person skilled in one of the arts (as painting, sculpture, music, or writing)

2

: a person showing unusual ability in an occupation requiring skill