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Arty - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Arty describes something related to or characteristic of art, often in a creative, imaginative, or unconventional way. It can also imply a pretentious or overly artistic style.

arty

/ˈɑːrti/ /ˈɑːti/

Definition:

Pretentiously or self-consciously artistic, often in a showy or affected way.

Synonyms:

artsy, pretentious, affected, showy

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

unpretentious, plain, simple

Common Collocations:

arty crowd, arty film, arty style, arty photography

Derivatives:

artiness, artily

Usage Tips:

Use "arty" to describe something overly artistic in a pretentious or exaggerated manner.

Common Phrases:

arty-farty, arty types, arty set

Etymology:

Derived from "art," with a suffix implying an exaggerated or affected quality (early 20th century).

Examples:

  • 1. Her apartment was full of arty decorations that felt more showy than genuine.
  • 2. The film was too arty for mainstream audiences but praised by critics.
  • 3. He wore an arty scarf that made him stand out at the party.
  • 4. She dismissed his paintings as just another example of his arty pretensions.

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