artificial
- 01 B1 Intermediate
made by people rather than occurring naturally.
produced by human art or effort rather than occurring naturally; synthetic or manufactured.
Simple“The park has an artificial lake that was built in the 1990s.”
In context“The research team developed an artificial skin that can detect changes in temperature and pressure, mimicking human touch.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
not sincere or natural; forced.
lacking in sincerity or spontaneity; feigned or forced for social effect.
Simple“He gave an artificial smile when he saw his rival enter the room.”
In context“Her laughter sounded somewhat artificial, suggesting she was merely trying to appear polite during the awkward dinner party.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
created by a rule or system rather than by nature.
imposed by human intervention or convention rather than arising from inherent properties.
Simple“The division between the two neighborhoods is an artificial one created by the new highway.”
In context“Economists argue that the price floor is an artificial barrier that prevents the market from reaching a natural equilibrium.”
Synonyms
Usage artificial intelligence
From Middle English artificial (“man-made”) via Old French (modern French artificiel), from Latin artificiālis from artificium (“skill”), from artifex, from ars (“skill”), and -fex, from facere (“to make”). Displaced native Old English cræftlīċ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.