artful Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
disingenuous.
- an ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time"- David Cannadine
- a disingenuous excuse
adjective marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft
- the artful dodger
- an artful choice of metaphors

From Art.

Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill. Archaic "Artful strains." "Artful terms." Milton.
Artificial; imitative. Addison.
Using or exhibiting much art, skill, or contrivance; dexterous; skillful.
He [was] too artful a writer to set down events in exact historical order. Dryden.
Cunning; disposed to cunning indirectness of dealing; crafty; as, an artful boy. [The usual sense.]
Artful in speech, in action, and in mind. Pope.

The artful revenge of various animals. Darwin.
Syn. -- Cunning; skillful; adroit; dexterous; crafty; tricky; deceitful; designing. See Cunning.