artificial
From fake flowers to faux food flavors, our world is full of things that are artificial –- that is, produced by humans rather than by nature.
While artificial can simply mean “made by humans,” it’s often used in a negative sense, conveying the idea that an artificial product is inferior to the real thing. If you remark that your friend’s new hair color looks artificial, for example, you’re not paying her a compliment. Artificial can also describe a behavior or expression that seems insincere — much like the smile on your girlfriend’s face if you bring her artificial flowers instead of real ones.
-
contrived by art rather than nature“artificial flowers”“artificial flavoring”“an artificial diamond”“artificial fibers”“artificial sweeteners”synonyms: unrealbionichaving particular physiological functions augmented or replaced by electronic or electromechanical componentsconventionalised, conventionalized, stylised, stylizedusing artistic forms and conventions to create effects; not natural or spontaneousdummyhaving the appearance of being real but lacking capacity to functionfactitiousnot produced by natural forces; artificial or fakefake, false, faux, imitation, simulatednot genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine articlenearclosely resembling the genuine articlepaintedlacking substance or vitality as if produced by paintingunreallacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria
-
not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processessynonyms:inorganiclacking the properties characteristic of living organisms
-
artificially formal
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing artificial
On the New SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a US founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 200 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Here are all of our word lists to help you prepare for the new SAT (debuting March of 2016): The Language of the Test, Multiple-Meaning Words, and Words to Capture Tone.
On the SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a U.S. founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 25 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Following our Roadmap to the SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.
On October 4, 1957, Russia launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into orbit. This marked the beginning of the Space Race and sparked a great deal of panic in the U.S. Below is vocabulary compiled from the New York Times article published the next day.