1
: performed with or showing art or skill
an artful performance on the violin
2
3
: artificial
… trim walks and artful bowers …—William Wordsworth
artfulness
noun
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A writer may produce an artful piece of prose, one that's clearly and elegantly written. The same writer might also make an artful argument, one that cleverly leaves out certain details and plays up others so as to make a stronger case. In the first instance, the prose is well crafted; in the second, the argument might instead be called crafty. But even though both uses are correct, most of us still use artful somewhat differently from artistic.
Cite this Entry
“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artful. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.
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