art Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
    fine art.
    • an art exhibition
    • a fine collection of art
  2. noun the creation of beautiful or significant things
    artistic creation; artistic production.
    • art does not need to be innovative to be good
    • I was never any good at art
    • he said that architecture is the art of wasting space beautifully
  3. noun a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
    prowess; artistry.
    • the art of conversation
    • it's quite an art
  4. noun photographs or other visual representations in a printed publication
    nontextual matter; graphics; artwork.
    • the publisher was responsible for all the artwork in the book

WordNet

Art
Definitions
  1. The second person singular, indicative mode, present tense, of the substantive verb Be; but formed after the analogy of the plural are, with the ending -t, as in thou shalt, wilt, orig. an ending of the second person sing. pret. Cf. Be. Now used only in solemn or poetical style.
Art noun
Etymology
F. art, L. ars, artis, orig., skill in joining or fitting; prob. akin to E. arm, aristocrat, article.
Definitions
  1. The employment of means to accomplish some desired end; the adaptation of things in the natural world to the uses of life; the application of knowledge or power to practical purposes.
    Blest with each grace of nature and of art. Pope.
  2. A system of rules serving to facilitate the performance of certain actions; a system of principles and rules for attaining a desired end; method of doing well some special work; -- often contradistinguished from science or speculative principles; as, the art of building or engraving; the art of war; the art of navigation.
    Science is systematized knowledge . . . Art is knowledge made efficient by skill. J. F. Genung.
  3. The systematic application of knowledge or skill in effecting a desired result. Also, an occupation or business requiring such knowledge or skill.
    The fishermen can't employ their art with so much success in so troubled a sea. Addison.
  4. The application of skill to the production of the beautiful by imitation or design, or an occupation in which skill is so employed, as in painting and sculpture; one of the fine arts; as, he prefers art to literature.
  5. pl. Those branches of learning which are taught in the academical course of colleges; as, master of arts.
    In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts. Pope.
    Four years spent in the arts (as they are called in colleges) is, perhaps, laying too laborious a foundation. Goldsmith.
  6. Learning; study; applied knowledge, science, or letters. Archaic
    So vast is art, so narrow human wit. Pope.
  7. Skill, dexterity, or the power of performing certain actions, asquired by experience, study, or observation; knack; a, a man has the art of managing his business to advantage.
  8. Skillful plan; device.
    They employed every art to soothe . . . the discontented warriors. Macaulay.
  9. Cunning; artifice; craft.
    Madam, I swear I use no art at all. Shak.
    Animals practice art when opposed to their superiors in strength. Crabb.

Webster 1913