Meaning & use
applied arts
Last updated
Meanings
nounplural
Art forms that have a practical use, such as ceramics, textiles, furniture design, and graphic design.
Grammar: Takes a plural verb: 'Applied arts are often taught alongside fine arts.'
Patterns
- study applied arts
- applied arts program
- the applied arts
She studied applied arts and now designs furniture.
The college offers degrees in both fine arts and applied arts.
Applied arts often focus on making useful objects beautiful.
nounplural
The academic field or department that teaches these practical art forms.
Grammar: Often used with 'the' when referring to the subject area: 'the applied arts'.
Patterns
- department of applied arts
- school of applied arts
He teaches in the department of applied arts.
The School of Applied Arts has a new exhibition space.
Common combinations
- fine and applied arts
- The museum covers both fine and applied arts.
- applied arts degree
- An applied arts degree can lead to a career in product design.
- study applied arts
- Many students study applied arts before starting their own studios.
Synonyms and how they differ
- decorative arts
- Focuses on beautiful objects, while 'applied arts' emphasizes practical use as well.
- design
- A broader term that includes applied arts but also covers areas like engineering design.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: applied arts or fine arts?
applied arts vs fine arts
Fine arts are created mainly for beauty (painting, sculpture); applied arts are made for practical use as well.
Practice
Which of these is most typical of the applied arts?
Choose one answer.
Applied arts include practical objects like ceramics. A portrait is fine art, a symphony is music, and poetry is literature.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “applied arts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.