artful

USAGE SUMMARY

'artful' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe a person or thing that is skillful at achieving a desired result through cunning or ingenuity. For example, you could say, "The artist crafted an artful painting that was admired by everyone who saw it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

sansantropez.com, double rooms from €900 a week including breakfast and taxes These two cottages for two were built by the owners of a local art gallery, and everything about them exudes artful individual style.

The Guardian - Travel

First, an elegant en pointe sashay through a bemused defence was crowned with a composed, artful finish – "what a good goal", said the commentator – and then a beautifully placed left-foot blast was deposited into the far corner from outside the box - "what a good goal", said the commentator.

The Guardian - Sport

The $28bn burger chain is out to pilfer your pennies and wheedle your wad with an artful dodger too charming to refuse.

The Guardian - Business

He had captained the team in Melbourne, in the absence of the injured Ricky Ponting, and had even had a "late-night nightclub incident" to cope with as an Australian side better than this one on paper succumbed to artful English seam.

The Guardian - Sport

This rule applies to Empire, where any hunt for an artful subtext will likely prove unsuccessful.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But even though I am immersed daily in this world, there's one final problem with making a connection to our inner molecules that I've discovered in watching Berry's careful, artful animations.

The Guardian

Well, he's always had that Artful Dodger thing going on, so you wouldn't rule it out, but every team does it so it was interesting the Roosters, despite living in a glasshouse, decided to throw stones.

The Guardian - Sport

For my part – plundering singles by Artful Dodger, by Semisonic – I have a memory of actually looking over my shoulder.

The Guardian - Music

Schürrle had more shots than any other player in the Bundesliga last season and at his best he looks a superbly mobile, long-striding athlete, and an ideal counterpart to Hazard's more artful contributions.

The Guardian - Sport

The young Artful Dodgers were said to have been trafficked to Britain by criminal gangs, who sent them on pickpocketing errands in the posher bits of London.That is now less sure.

The Economist

They will have an extra reason to co-operate if it becomes clear that America is winning the fight against the insurgency (which may require more troops), that the election will actually take place (which requires a big new push from the UN) and that they have something to gain by taking part (which requires artful negotiation by Mr Allawi).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "artful" to describe actions or creations that demonstrate skill and creativity, especially when a degree of ingenuity or cleverness is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "artful" as a mere synonym for "artistic". "Artful" often implies a level of cunning or skillful manipulation, whereas "artistic" simply refers to something related to art.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "artful" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something or someone exhibiting skill, cleverness, or cunning. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showcasing its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "artful" is a versatile adjective used to describe something done with skill, cleverness, and often a degree of cunning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily as a descriptive adjective across various contexts, including news, business, and occasionally scientific writing. It implies more than mere artistry, suggesting a deliberate and skillful execution. While it's generally appropriate for neutral to formal settings, careful attention should be paid to avoiding its misuse as a simple substitute for "artistic". The wide range of examples found by Ludwig indicates its frequent and diverse application in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

masterful

Indicates supreme skill and control.

skillful

Focuses on general competence and mastery.

adept

Signifies proficiency and expertise.

ingenious

Stresses inventiveness and resourcefulness.

clever

Highlights ingenuity and quick-wittedness.

adroit

Suggests skill in handling difficult situations.

deft

Highlights adroitness and nimbleness.

shrewd

Highlights intelligence and astuteness.

cunning

Emphasizes shrewdness and deceptiveness.

crafty

Implies slyness and manipulation.

FAQs

How can I use "artful" in a sentence?

You can use "artful" to describe something done with skill and cleverness. For instance, "The negotiator employed "artful" tactics to reach an agreement" or "The chef created an "artful" arrangement of the ingredients".

What are some synonyms for "artful"?

Alternatives to "artful" include "skillful", "clever", "ingenious", and "crafty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "artful" to describe something negative?

Yes, "artful" can describe negative qualities when implying cunning or deception. For example, "He was an "artful" liar who could deceive anyone".

What's the difference between "artful" and "artistic"?

"Artful" suggests skill and cleverness, often with a hint of manipulation, whereas "artistic" simply relates to art or aesthetics. Use "artful" to describe the manner in which something is done, and "artistic" to describe its nature.