Words / B2

aht-i-FISHL/ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃl/

Artificial means made by people, not natural, or not sincere: artificial light; an artificial smile. Synthetic is close for materials. Natural is a common opposite. Artificial intelligence is a set phrase. Studies use artificial light to mimic a night shift.

Meaning

Made by people, not natural; also not sincere.

Examples

• “The study used artificial light to mimic a night shift.”
• “The apology sounded artificial, which is the insincere sense.”

Good to know

artificial light / flavour / intelligence. Materials twin: synthetic. Opposite: natural. Insincere: an artificial smile. Set phrase: AI. Not “artifical”.

Near in meaning

synthetic

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