artful

pronunciation

How to pronounce artful in British English: UK [ˈɑ:tfl]word uk audio image

How to pronounce artful in American English: US [ˈɑrtfl] word us audio image

  • Adjective:
    not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
    marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft

Word Origin

artful (adj.)
1610s, "learned, well-versed in the (liberal) arts," also "characterized by technical skill," from art (n.) + -ful. Meaning "skilled in adapting means to ends" is from 1739. Related: Artfully; artfulness.

Example

1. Choosing complementary shades of paper allows for an artful mix of patterns .
2. Mr schwab is also artful enough to make the agenda sufficiently vague and diverse that everyone can find something worth talking about .
3. With such artful , literate songs as " just like tom thumb 's blues , " which obliterated the traditional focus on sing along choruses , highway 61 revisited was a huge success that established the singer-songwriter as the dominant figure in rock .
4. It 's the same old story of the contrast between artful illusion and hard reality .
5. One of mr fielden 's most artful sleights-of-hand has been his treatment of fashion .

more: >How to Use "artful" with Example Sentences