English Reference
Adjective

artisanal

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˌɑɹˈtɪzənəɫ/ UK /ɑːtˈɪsənəl/ ar·ti·sanal

adj.made by hand in small amounts rather than by machines in a factory. It usually means the product is high quality and made with special care.

adj.produced in small quantities by hand or with traditional methods, rather than by mass production. Often implies a focus on craftsmanship and high-quality materials.


SIMPLE

The bakery is famous for its artisanal bread.

CONTEXTUAL

Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for artisanal cheeses that are aged using traditional techniques.

COMPLEX

While the market is flooded with mass-produced alternatives, the demand for artisanal goods remains strong among consumers seeking authenticity and unique textures in their food and crafts.

Mugisha Godfrey, an artisanal miner from Busia in eastern Uganda, travelled to Cheporor after hearing about the discovery from a friend.

BBC News· 22 Aug 2026

From artisan + -al.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated