Art Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

art

/ˈɑɚt/

noun

plural

arts

art

/ˈɑɚt/

noun

plural

arts

Britannica Dictionary definition of ART

1

[noncount]

:

something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings

  • a piece of modern/contemporary art

  • It's a remarkable picture, but is it art?

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see also op-art, performance art, pop art, work of art

2

[noncount]

:

works created by artists

:

paintings, sculptures, etc., that are created to be beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings

  • the art [=artwork] of Salvador Dalí

  • The museum has a large collection of folk art.

  • African/Japanese/Mayan art

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often used before another noun

  • art history

  • art objects

  • an art museum/gallery

  • an art collector/lover

  • She prefers art films to Hollywood blockbusters.

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see also arts and crafts

3

[noncount]

:

the methods and skills used for painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.

  • He studied art in college.

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often used before another noun

  • an art teacher/program

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4

a

[count]

:

an activity that is done to create something beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings

  • She studied the art of drawing/painting/dance.

  • dance, drama, and other art forms

  • the performing/visual/graphic arts

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see also fine art

b

the arts

:

painting, sculpture, music, theater, literature, etc., considered as a group of activities done by people with skill and imagination

  • She's a patron of the arts.

  • He wants the government to increase its funding for the arts.

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see also performing arts

5

[count]

:

a skill that someone learns through experience or study

usually singular

  • He never learned the art of making friends. [=he never learned how to make friends]

  • She's a master of the art of conversation. [=she is very good at conversation]

  • There's an art to cooking that comes only with practice.

  • Writing letters has become something of a lost art. [=not many people write letters any more]

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◊ If you raise/elevate something to an art (form) you are known for doing something or having something (such as a personal quality). This phrase is often used in an ironic or joking way to describe qualities or abilities that are not admired.

  • He seems to have elevated stupidity to an art form. [=he is very stupid]

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6

[count]

:

an activity that requires special knowledge or skill

  • Shipbuilding is both an art and a science.

  • the art of navigation

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see also martial art

7

arts

[plural]

:

areas of study (such as history, language, and literature) that are intended to develop the mind in a general way

:

liberal arts

  • a bachelor of arts

  • the College of Arts and Sciences

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Art Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

Art Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of ART. 1. [noncount] : something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. a piece of modern/contemporary art. It's a remarkable picture, but is it art?

What is the best definition of art? ›

art, a visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination. The term art encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts, photography, and installation.

What is the Dictionary definition word art? ›

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power. the art of choosing the right word. skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

What is the definition of the word art in your own words? ›

Art is the expression of ideas and emotions through a physical medium, like painting, sculpture, film, dance, writing, photography, or theatre. If you love the creative process, maybe you'll devote your life to art.

What is the truest definition of art? ›

The creative works that are produced by artists can evoke emotions, thoughts, and ideas in people. Thus, the true definition of art includes not just paintings and drawings but a diverse range of creative expressions.

What is the true meaning of art? ›

Art can be defined as an act of expressing feelings, thoughts, and observations. There is an understanding that is reached with the material as a result of handling it, which facilitates one's thought processes.

What is the shortest definition of art? ›

1. [noncount] : something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.

What is art deep meaning? ›

The deeper meaning of art is the feelings, thoughts, and ideas that are communicated through it. Art has a myriad of purposes which can make it seem daunting to some while others revel in the complexities. Every person interprets art differently making it unique for each individual viewer.

What is the meaning of real WordArt? ›

uncountable noun. Art is the activity or educational subject that consists of creating paintings, sculptures, and other pictures or objects for people to look at and admire or think deeply about.

How do we define what is art and what is not? ›

There is no one universal definition of visual art though there is a general consensus that art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination. The definition and perceived value of works of art have changed throughout history and in different cultures.

What real art means? ›

Realism in the arts is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative and supernatural elements. The term is often used interchangeably with naturalism, although these terms are not synonymous.

What does art truly mean? ›

But no matter what form it takes, the artwork is an attempt to express emotion or ideas through mediums such as color, texture, line, shape, and form. Art has no rules; it is self-expressive and creative. In this way, the artwork gives a voice to those who create it.

What does art mean in Christianity? ›

God dwells in beauty and His holiness is beautiful. As Psalm 50:2 puts it, "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth." Art is valued and inspired by God as a means of reflecting and glorifying the wonder of God. It is an invitation to draw closer to the Divine and to worship the Lord.

What is art good definition? ›

Good art can illustrate a thought or feeling in a way that words simply cannot. It asks questions and, perhaps, even provides answers. In way, good art acts a mirror and teaches the viewer something about themselves that they didn't know they knew.

What is art best described as? ›

By a dictionary definition, “Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power..”

What is the famous definition of art? ›

Art can be thought of as a symbol of what it means to be human, manifested in physical form for others to see and interpret. It can serve as a symbol for something that is tangible, or for a thought, an emotion, a feeling, or a concept. Through peaceful means, it can convey the full spectrum of the human experience.

How art defines you? ›

Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal than that: it's about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality. It is the communication of intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone.

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