Толковый словарь английского языка

[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: artificiel, from Latin artificialis, from artificium; ⇨ ↑artifice]

1. not real or not made of natural things but made to be like something that is real or natural SYN false OPP natural:

artificial flowers

artificial light

artificial fertilizers

2. an artificial situation or quality exists because someone has made it exist, and not because it is really necessary:

artificial distinctions

artificial barriers of gender and race

3. artificial behaviour is not sincere – used to show disapproval OPP genuine:

an artificial smile

—artificially adverb:

Food prices are being kept artificially low.

—artificiality /ˌɑːtəfɪʃiˈæləti, ˌɑːtɪfɪʃiˈæləti $ ˌɑːr-/ noun [uncountable]

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COLLOCATIONS

■ nouns

▪ artificial light/lighting Energy is being wasted by using artificial lighting when daylight is adequate.

▪ artificial sweeteners (=used to make food or drink taste sweeter) Diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners like saccharin.

▪ artificial colours (=used in food) I try to buy food that is free from artificial colours.

▪ artificial flavours Ice cream often has artificial flavours in it.

▪ artificial additives (=used to give food more colour or taste) Artificial additives such as colourings, sweeteners and flavour enhancers aren’t permitted in baby foods.

▪ artificial preservatives (=used to preserve food) This jam has no artificial preservatives.

▪ artificial flowers a vase of stiff-looking artificial flowers

▪ an artificial environment Animals hate being confined in an artificial environment.

▪ artificial grass artificial grass tennis courts

▪ artificial snow Some ski resorts use huge amounts of artificial snow.

▪ an artificial pitch British English The club is building a new artificial training pitch at its sports ground.

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THESAURUS

▪ artificial not real or natural, but made to look or work like something real or natural: artificial flowers | He was given an artificial heart.

▪ synthetic made using chemical processes rather than by natural processes: synthetic fabrics | a synthetic version of the drug

▪ man-made made by people – used especially about geographical features and materials: a man-made lake | man-made fibres

▪ fake made to look or seem like something else, especially in order to deceive people: a fake passport | fake fur

▪ imitation made to look like something, but not real – used especially about guns, jewellery, and leather: imitation firearms | imitation pearls

▪ false artificial – used especially about teeth, ↑eyelashes, and ↑beards: a set of false teeth

▪ simulated not real, but made to look, sound, or feel real, especially by means of special computers or machines: a simulated space flight

▪ virtual made, done, seen etc on a computer, rather than in the real world: a virtual tour of the garden