Meaning & use
artisanal
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounapproving
Made by hand with traditional skill, in small amounts, instead of in a large factory.
Grammar: Almost always before a noun: artisanal bread.
Patterns
- artisanal food
We bought artisanal cheese from a small dairy.
The shop sells artisanal soap made in the village.
Her artisanal pottery is sold at the weekend market.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Of or relating to skilled craftspeople and their work.
Grammar: Formal use, relating to craftspeople: artisanal skills.
Patterns
- artisanal skills
Artisanal skills were passed from parent to child.
The region is known for its artisanal traditions.
The museum displays artisanal tools.
adjectivebefore a nouninformal
Marketed as having a handmade, high-quality image, sometimes without being truly handmade.
Grammar: Marketing use: an artisanal burger.
Patterns
- artisanal brand
The chain launched an artisanal pizza range.
Some critics say artisanal is just a marketing word.
The cafe's artisanal coffee costs twice as much.
Common combinations
- artisanal bread
- The bakery's artisanal bread sells out by noon.
- artisanal cheese
- They visited a farm making artisanal cheese.
- artisanal product
- An artisanal product often costs more.
- artisanal craft
- Weaving is an artisanal craft in this valley.
- artisanal producer
- The artisanal producer uses old methods.
Synonyms and how they differ
- handmade
- Handmade states a plain fact about how something was produced, while artisanal also suggests skill and quality.
- handcrafted
- Handcrafted stresses the careful skill of the maker and is close to artisanal, though less trendy.
- traditional
- Traditional describes old methods but does not say that the item is made by hand or in small quantities.
- craft
- Craft is used as an adjective for small-scale products, as in craft beer, and is mostly used for drinks.
Opposites
Word family
- artisan noun
- a skilled person who makes things by hand
- artisanship noun
- the skill of a craftsperson
- artisanally adverb
- in a handmade, skilled way
Commonly confused: artisanal or artistic?
artisanal vs artistic
Artistic means relating to art or creative skill, while artisanal means made by hand by a craftsperson, usually for use.
Practice
The market stall sells ______ jam made in small batches from the owner's own fruit.
Choose one answer.
Artisanal means made in a small, traditional, handmade way. Industrial and mass-produced describe the opposite, large factory production.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “artisanal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.