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Definition of artifice

artifice

/ˈɑːr.tə.fɪs/
ar · ti · fice
Adverb:artificially
•
Plural:artifices
•
Adjective:artificial
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artifice Lexical Profile

artifice Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially those used to trick or deceive others.

Example

"The diplomat spoke with apparent candor, though her rivals suspected her charm was merely a carefully rehearsed artifice."

2

Skillful or mechanical ingenuity, craft, or workmanship in creating something.

Example

"The intricate clockwork of the eighteenth-century automaton remains a marvel of mechanical artifice."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

articulateness
articulation
artifact
artifice
artificial
artificiality
artificially

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French artifice, from Latin artificium ('craftsmanship, skill, or trick'), derived from artifex ('craftsman'), combining ars ('art, skill') and facere ('to make').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Artifice. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/artifice
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