ENGLISH
REFERENCE

artful

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɑɹtfəɫ// UK //ˈɑːtfəl// art·ful Archaic

adj. having a high level of skill and creativity. You use this to describe something that is done in a clever or beautiful way.

adj. characterised by skill, ingenuity, or aesthetic quality. Often implies a level of craftsmanship or cleverness that goes beyond the ordinary.


SIMPLE

The artist used an artful brushstroke to finish the painting.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect designed an artful solution that blended the modern glass structure with the surrounding historic stone buildings.

COMPLEX

The diplomat's response was artful, managing to satisfy the demands of both parties without revealing any sensitive information about the country's internal security.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From art (“skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation”) + -ful (suffix forming adjectives from nouns, with the sense of being full of, tending to, or thoroughly possessing the quality expressed by the noun).

Idioms1 entry

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