WordGarden.ioartificially
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɑːtɪfˈɪʃəlˌi/
US
- /ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəli/
Meanings
Adverb
by artificial or deliberately manipulated means rather than naturally
Beyond the definition
Something done artificially isn't from nature—it's created or achieved through human effort and technology. Think of a brightly colored plastic flower; it looks like a real one, but it was made artificially. It contrasts with something that happens organically. A sunset is natural, while a room lit artificially creates the illusion of daylight. You might say someone smiles "artificially" if their smile doesn't seem genuine or heartfelt.
The word comes from "artifice," meaning clever skill or ingenuity—often implying a slight deception. So when something is done artificially, it's not necessarily bad, just not naturally occurring. A prosthetic limb is made artificially to help someone regain function, and an artificially sweetened drink offers flavor without the sugar.
The word artificially describes how something is created or produced—not by nature, but by human skill, technology, or deliberate effort. It implies a departure from what occurs organically. For example: "The lake was artificially stocked with fish," meaning people intentionally added fish to the lake rather than letting them populate naturally.
Artificially often modifies adjectives and verbs that involve imitation. You see it in phrases like "artificially flavored" or "artificially sweetened"—processes used to mimic natural tastes. It extends beyond physical items to behavior. You might say someone is acting "artificially polite" if their politeness feels forced, or that a landscape looks "artificially perfect" if it's been heavily manicured and seems to lack wild beauty.
The nuance lies in the contrast with what is genuine or authentic. While doing something artificially isn't always negative—crops can be artificially irrigated to feed people, and homes are artificially cooled by air conditioning—it often carries a connotation of being less desirable than the natural equivalent.
Consider the phrase "artificially inflated prices." This suggests that the price was forced higher than it would be in a fair market. Or think about a crisis that has been "artificially manufactured" for political gain.
So, when you encounter artificially, remember it signals human intervention as a substitute for, or imitation of, natural processes. It highlights the boundary between what just happens and what is made to happen.
Examples
- 1
Lighting
The basement is lit artificially because no sunlight reaches it.
- 2
Food and drink
This drink is artificially sweetened, so it tastes different from fresh juice.
- 3
Water management
The lake level is kept artificially high during the dry season.
- Patternkeep + level artificially high
prevent it from falling naturally
- 4
Pricing
The company tried to keep prices artificially low to attract new customers.
- Patternkeep something artificially low
stop it from reaching its natural level
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Forced emotion
She gave an artificially cheerful smile when the meeting started.
- Phraseartificially cheerful
cheerful in a way that feels forced, not genuine
- 6
Research design
The experiment was criticized because the situation was artificially simple and unlike real life.
- Phraseartificially simple
made simpler than it would normally be
See also
Similar
- unnaturally
- by artificial means
Shades of meaning
- synthetically
- mechanically
- in vitro
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- artificially inflated
- artificially sweetened
- artificially generated
- artificially induced
Word family
Explore
- simulation
- human intervention
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- artificiallyadverb