THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY
artful
adjective
Skillful and clever, sometimes in a deceptive or manipulative way.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
A USEFUL DISTINCTION
Usage note
Artful may praise skill or imply clever deception. It is not a universal synonym for dishonest.
SEE IT IN USE
Examples in context
An artful transition connected the two scenes without interrupting the story.
An artful arrangement of movable cards let the reporter show each candidate's promises beside the relevant budget choices without crowding the display.
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Related meanings
Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.
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This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.
Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.
Source study sections: 13.
Artful may praise skill or imply clever deception. It is not a universal synonym for dishonest.
Dictionary scope and sources