artsy

adjective

art·​sy ˈärt-sē 

: characterized by or showing artistry or artistic talent

The artsy Paloma Picasso chatted up husband Rafael Lopez Sanchez, the Argentine playwright.

—People Weekly

The artsy packaging is gorgeous, making these primo sweets ideal gifts. Sold in fine retail outlets in NYC and online.

—Janice Wald Henderson

The 13 suites at Ljubljana's Antiq Palace complement the city's historic and artsy appeal.

—Chris Colin

also : showily or pretentiously artistic : arty, artsy-fartsy

For a month, all Edinburgh is a stage, life is a cabaret, and people like me feel comfortable spouting artsy clichés while bingeing on three or four or five performances a day.

—Bob Sipchen

Examples of artsy in a Sentence

Her boyfriend is the artsy type.

Recent Examples on the Web

In May 2001, Jennifer Stahl, 39, an artist, singer, and actor, who had a minor role in Dirty Dancing, was selling exotic weed to an artsy clientele out of her sixth-floor apartment above the famous Jewish deli across the street from Carnegie Hall. —John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025

Each outfit is perfectly indicative of the character wearing it: Charlotte is always drawn to the impeccable and classic, whereas Carrie loves a more romantic, artsy, and independent aesthetic. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 17 July 2025

Asheville, North Carolina After the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, this artsy mountain city has rebounded and is ready to welcome travelers. —Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

The younger brother of Broadway actor Joanna Maxwell, Beau is equally at home among jocks, frat guys, and the artsy kids at Briar. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing artsy

• artsy-craftsy
• artsy fartsy

Rhymes for artsy

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy