artful Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
    disingenuous.
    • an ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time"- David Cannadine
    • a disingenuous excuse
  2. adjective marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft
    • the artful dodger
    • an artful choice of metaphors

WordNet


Art"ful adjective
Etymology
From Art.
Definitions
  1. Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill. Archaic "Artful strains." "Artful terms." Milton.
  2. Artificial; imitative. Addison.
  3. Using or exhibiting much art, skill, or contrivance; dexterous; skillful.
    He [was] too artful a writer to set down events in exact historical order. Dryden.
  4. Cunning; disposed to cunning indirectness of dealing; crafty; as, an artful boy. [The usual sense.]
    Artful in speech, in action, and in mind. Pope.
    The artful revenge of various animals. Darwin.
    Syn. -- Cunning; skillful; adroit; dexterous; crafty; tricky; deceitful; designing. See Cunning.

Webster 1913