The meaning of ARTIFICIAL is made, produced, or done by humans especially to seem like something natural : man-made. How to use artificial in a sentence.

Artificial is used to describe things that are made or manufactured as opposed to occurring naturally. Artificial is often used as the opposite of natural. A close synonym of artificial is synthetic.

artificial adjective (NOT SINCERE) not sincere; not truly intended: an artificial smile

Not arising from natural or necessary causes; contrived or arbitrary: "Hausa [in Niger] ... are separated from their brethren in Nigeria by a porous and artificial border that the colonial powers left behind" …

Jan 20, 2026 · Adjective [edit] artificial (comparative more artificial, superlative most artificial) Man-made; made by humans; of artifice. quotations The flowers were artificial, and he thought them rather tacky.

Definition of artificial adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. made or produced to copy something natural; not real. All food served in the restaurant is completely free from any …

An artificial state or situation exists only because someone has created it, and therefore often seems unnatural or unnecessary. Even in the artificial environment of an office, our body rhythms continue …

Biology based on arbitrary, superficial characteristics rather than natural, organic relationships: an artificial system of classification. Jewelry manufactured to resemble a natural gem, in chemical …

There are 23 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word artificial, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Over time, the term 'artificial' evolved to denote objects or substances created or produced by human beings, often in imitation or replication of something found in the natural world.