artificial

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Produced by people, often as a copy of something found in nature, rather than formed naturally.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: artificial flowers, or the lake is artificial.

   Patterns

   • an artificial something

   The pond in the park is artificial, dug by workers last century.

   This juice contains no artificial colors.

   Astronauts rely on artificial gravity in some science-fiction stories.

2. 2adjectivecomparabledisapproving

   Not sincere or natural; put on for show.

   Grammar: Often describes smiles, manners or atmospheres: an artificial smile.

   Patterns

   • an artificial smile
   • feel artificial

   The host greeted us with an artificial smile.

   Their friendliness felt artificial, as if they had rehearsed it.

   I dislike the artificial politeness of some customer-service scripts.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Set up or imposed by people in a way that does not match real conditions.

   Grammar: Typically describes divisions, limits or barriers: an artificial deadline.

   Patterns

   • an artificial limit
   • an artificial barrier

   The manager set an artificial deadline to push the team along.

   Colonial borders often created artificial divisions between communities.

   The price was kept at an artificial level by government support.

Word forms

Common combinations

artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence now helps doctors read scans.

artificial sweetener

He drinks coffee with an artificial sweetener instead of sugar.

artificial light

Plants grown under artificial light need careful timing.

artificial flavoring

The candy is full of artificial flavoring.

artificial limb

She learned to run again with an artificial limb.

artificial smile

He wore an artificial smile through the whole meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

synthetic

Synthetic usually refers to materials made by chemical processes, such as fabric, while artificial covers anything made by people.

man-made

Man-made is plainer and purely descriptive; artificial can also imply that something is fake or imitation.

fake

Fake means deliberately deceptive, while artificial may be an honest, open substitute.

insincere

Insincere applies only to behavior and feelings, whereas artificial can describe both objects and behavior.

Opposites

Word family

artificially adverb

in a way that is not natural

artificiality noun

the quality of being fake or unnatural

artifice noun

clever trickery or skill used to deceive

art noun

human skill or creative work

Commonly confused: artificial or artistic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “artificial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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