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 …

ARTFUL definition: slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky. See examples of artful used in a sentence.

ARTFUL definition: 1. clever and skilful, especially in getting what you want: 2. clever and skillful, especially in…. Learn more.

artful (ˈɑːtfʊl) adj 1. cunning or tricky 2. skilful in achieving a desired end

Definition of artful adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Oct 8, 2025 · artful (comparative more artful, superlative most artful) Characterized by, or performed with, cleverness or contrivance; clever, ingenious. quotations

art•ful (ärt′ fəl), adj. 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 …

If you use artful to describe the way someone has done or arranged something, you approve of it because it is clever or elegant.

To be artful is to do something skillfully, especially in a cunning way. A con man must be artful. To be an artist requires skill and talent: it's not easy to make art. Similarly, doing something in an artful way …

ARTFUL meaning: 1 : done with or showing artistic skill; 2 : good at getting or achieving things in ways that are clever and not noticeable used to get or achieve things in ways that are clever and not …