artist

noun

art·​ist ˈär-tist How to pronounce artist (audio)
plural artists
1
a
: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination
the great artists of the Renaissance
an artist specializing in watercolors
b
: a person skilled in any of the arts
I can't draw at all, but both of my children are very talented artists.
2
: a skilled performer
a trapeze artist
especially : a musical or theatrical entertainer : artiste
a jazz artist
3
: a person who is very good at something
a scam artist
a strikeout artist
4
a
obsolete : one skilled or versed in learned arts
b
archaic : physician
c
archaic : artisan sense 1

Examples of artist in a Sentence

the great artists of the Renaissance a pitcher who is a strikeout artist
Recent Examples on the Web When Pink finishes her last lap this Saturday (March 23) at Townsville’s Country Bank Stadium, her 20 stadium shows will represent the most ever performed by any artist in Australia and NZ on a single tour. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 Bey is by no means the only Black artist making waves in country music. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The elusive street artist often creates murals that interact with objects or structures in their surrounding environments, such as a gymnast balancing on a real pile of rubble. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 The 2023 event showcased over 25 artists or groups globally and is dedicated to understanding diversity through music, art, food, dance, workshops, and more. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 19 Mar. 2024 In many moments, she’s painted as an esoteric wife who is defending an artist, Zyair Malloy (Trevante Rhodes), who many feel murdered his ex-girlfriend. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 Singer and actor Dosanjh, 40, is one of the biggest South Asian artists worldwide and has played a major role in putting Punjabi music on the map internationally. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term SiR has been in the industry for more than a decade, working with artists like Tyrese, Warren G, and Jill Scott, but he’s received recent recognition for his solo projects. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 The best jukebox musicals, whether on stage or screen, weave together popular, pre-existing songs from an artist with a compelling story beating at its core. Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'artist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French artiste "person practicing a craft, student of the liberal arts," borrowed from Medieval Latin artista "artificer, student of the liberal arts," from Latin art-, ars "acquired skill, art entry 1" + -ista -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Time Traveler
The first known use of artist was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near artist

Cite this Entry

“Artist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artist. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

artist

noun
art·​ist ˈärt-əst How to pronounce artist (audio)
1
: a person skilled in one of the arts (as painting, sculpture, music, or writing)
2
: a person showing unusual ability in an occupation requiring skill

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