artificial meaning and definition

ARTIFICIAL adjective

Definition of artificial (adjective)

1. contrived by art rather than nature
   • "artificial flowers"; "artificial flavoring"; "an artificial diamond"; "artificial fibers"; "artificial sweeteners"
   • synonyms: unreal
   • antonym: natural
2. artificially formal
   • "that artificial humility that her husband hated"; "contrived coyness"; "a stilted letter of acknowledgment"; "when people try to correct their speech they develop a stilted pronunciation"
   • synonyms: contrived, hokey, stilted
3. not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes