Synonyms of art

art

noun

ˈärt 

1

as in craft

an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands

one of the country's finest practitioners of the art of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• craft
• trade
• skill
• handicraft
• handcraft
• profession
• occupation
• vocation
• métier
• calling

2

as in skill

subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something

while some people see it simply as mindless fun or exercise, there is an art to skateboarding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skill
• skillfulness
• artistry
• cunning
• creativity
• proficiency
• craft
• ease
• talent
• artfulness
• expertise
• adeptness
• experience
• cleverness
• artifice
• adroitness
• masterfulness
• knack
• aptitude
• deftness
• learning
• gift
• knowledge
• finesse
• inventiveness
• dexterity
• ingenuity
• flair
• expertness
• handiness
• know-how
• bent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• artlessness
• ineptitude
• ineptness
• awkwardness
• clumsiness
• crudeness
• maladroitness
• rudeness
• amateurishness
• incapacity
• inability
• incompetence
• inefficiency
• inadequacy
• ineffectiveness
• inefficacy
• incapability
• ineffectuality
• klutziness
• ineffectualness
• inadequateness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun art contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of art are artifice, craft, cunning, and skill. While all these words mean "the faculty of executing well what one has devised," art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

Where would artifice be a reasonable alternative to art?

While the synonyms artifice and art are close in meaning, artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

When is it sensible to use craft instead of art?

In some situations, the words craft and art are roughly equivalent. However, craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

When could cunning be used to replace art?

The words cunning and art can be used in similar contexts, but cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

When might skill be a better fit than art?

The meanings of skill and art largely overlap; however, skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of art

With the advent of artificial intelligence, many see technology as a hazard to the creative arts — particularly theater, film and television — with actors being replaced by digital approximations of themselves. —Glenn Davis, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

The play deals with art and friendship. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 May 2026

Today, the population hovers around 2,000, but there’s enough art, food, and quirk for a city many times that size. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026

The petroglyphs and rock art are not protected in any way. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026