Artificial

/ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural.

The garden was filled with artificial flowers that looked remarkably real.

Contrived or lacking authenticity; not genuine.

Her smile seemed artificial, as if she were forcing it for the cameras.

Relating to or denoting a substance or material that is not naturally occurring, but created through chemical or physical processes.

The scientists developed an artificial sweetener to replace sugar in food products.

From Latin 'artificialis', from 'artificium' meaning 'craftsmanship'.

artificial turf

Synthetic grass used in sports and landscaping.

artificial sweetener

A sugar substitute made from synthetic substances.

artificial intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines.

artifice

Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others.

artificiality

The quality of being artificial; lack of naturalness.

artisan

A worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.

Plastic

That event felt so plastic; it was all artificial.

Phony

Her enthusiasm seemed really phony, just artificial.