adj
arty
AH-tee
adj
1
Having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts.
"He hangs out with an arty crowd from the film school."
2
Self-consciously artistic or pretentious in style, often used mildly critically.
"The film was a bit too arty for mainstream audiences."
"Critics dismissed the album as an arty experiment that went nowhere."
How to Use Arty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone or something with an artistic style — often used with a hint of "trying too hard."
When to use it
Informal; can be affectionate or slightly mocking depending on tone.
Common pairings
arty crowd
arty film
arty photo
Word Forms
artier comparative, arties plural, artiest superlative
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He hangs out with an _____ crowd from the film school.
Etymology
From art + the informal suffix -y, which turns a noun into a casual descriptive adjective (compare "sporty," "horsy").