artful
slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky: artful schemes.
skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious: an artful choice of metaphors and similes.
done with or characterized by art or skill: artful acting; artful repairs.
Archaic. artificial.
Origin of artful
1Other words from artful
- art·ful·ly, adverb
- art·ful·ness, noun
- un·art·ful, adjective
- un·art·ful·ly, adverb
- un·art·ful·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use artful in a sentence
Even Israelis themselves thought the statement could have been more artful and cognizant of the nuances of the age-old conflict.
Romney Offends Israel and Palestine With Economic Comparison | Daniel Stone | July 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThis is like some deeper, truer, more artful form of biography.
But this is like some deeper, truer, more artful form of biography.
Was there ever a more artful and vindictive piece of business concocted?
They jumped at the offer, like a couple of mice jumping into a trap; and after that I got more artful than ever.
Grif | B. L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon
I've always been a dooced deal more artful than you, Harry, over my little amours.
The Gay Lord Quex | Arthur W. PineroOn all sides they were open to the snares of an enemy less brave but more artful than themselves.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire | Edward GibbonSome more artful shall conceal their condition, and palm themselves off on young fellows for gentlewomen and great fortunes.
Everybody's Business is Nobody's Business | Daniel Defoe
British Dictionary definitions for artful
/ (ˈɑːtfʊl) /
cunning or tricky
skilful in achieving a desired end
archaic characterized by skill or art
archaic artificial
Derived forms of artful
- artfully, adverb
- artfulness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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