Etymologically
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artistic

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 13:19. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɑːˈtɪs.tɪk/ (UK); /ɑɹˈtɪs.tɪk/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from French artistique, from artiste (“artist”) (see artist),[2] or formed from artist and -ic.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of, pertaining to or befitting an artist: 1753.[4][2][5]

Semantic evolution

Of or pertaining to art, especially in the aesthetic sense, is from 1854,[4] and showing excellence of design and execution follows.[2] The native artist-like is recorded from 1711, artistly from 1754 and artistical from 1798.[2]

Timeline

  • 1711 – artist-like.[2]
  • 1753 – artistic.[4][2]
  • 1854 – of art.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Having or showing creative skill or talent in art.
  2. Relating to art or artists.
  3. Pleasing in appearance; aesthetically done.

Word family

  • artistically
  • interartistic
  • nonartistic
  • preartistic
  • unartistic

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster