ar·ti·fi·cial
(äŕtə-fĭsh́əl)
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin artificiālis, belonging to art, from artificium, craftsmanship; see artifice.]
adjective
- Made by humans; produced rather than natural.
- Brought about or caused by sociopolitical or other human-generated forces or influences: set up artificial barriers against women and minorities; an artificial economic boom.
- Made in imitation of something natural; simulated: artificial teeth.
- Not genuine or natural: an artificial smile.
derivatives
- aŕti·fíci·aĺi·ty
- noun
- aŕti·fícial·ly
- adverb
synonyms:
artificial, synthetic, ersatz, simulated These adjectives refer to what is made by humans rather than natural in origin. Artificial is broadest in meaning and connotation: an artificial sweetener; artificial flowers. Synthetic often implies the use of a chemical process to produce a substance that will look or function like the original, often with certain advantages: synthetic rubber; a synthetic fabric. An ersatz product is a transparently inferior imitation: ersatz coffee; ersatz mink. Simulated often refers to a fabricated substitute or imitation of a costlier substance: simulated diamonds.
