artist
artist — noun
1. a person whose job or main activity is producing pictures, sculptures, or other
a person whose job or main activity is producing pictures, sculptures, or other visual works — for example by painting, drawing, or carving stone.
Mei works as a full-time artist and sells her oil paintings online.
artist + as job/profession
The young artist spent three months drawing the cathedral in pencil.
A local artist carved the wooden statue that stands in the village square.
Many famous artists, including Van Gogh, sold few paintings during their lifetime.
The gallery shows new work by artists from across Taiwan and Japan.
- painter
narrower — only someone who paints
- sculptor
narrower — works in stone, metal, or clay
- illustrator
draws pictures for books, magazines, or websites
文法句型
artist + of
用法筆記
Most often used for painters, sculptors, and printmakers. For people who work in clay, glass, or metal as a craft, English speakers may prefer 'craftsperson' or 'artisan'.
常見錯誤
2. a singer, musician, dancer, or actor, especially one who records music or perfor
a singer, musician, dancer, or actor, especially one who records music or performs in front of an audience for a living.
Taylor Swift is one of the best-selling recording artists of the last decade.
collocation: recording artist
The festival booked five solo artists and two bands for the Saturday stage.
collocation: solo artist
After leaving the group, Jin became a successful solo artist in 2019.
The label signs young artists from clubs around Taipei every spring.
文法句型
recording artist
solo artist
用法筆記
Often pre-modified by 'recording', 'solo', 'pop', 'hip-hop', or a similar music label. Less common for actors than 'actor' itself; most natural for singers and musicians.
常見錯誤
3. someone unusually good at doing something that needs care, taste, or imagination
someone unusually good at doing something that needs care, taste, or imagination — for example, cooking a perfect steak or telling a story that holds the whole room.
Grandma Lin is a real artist with a kitchen knife — her dumplings are perfectly even.
collocation: an artist with + tool
The barber is an absolute artist; my hair has never looked this good.
Watch Kofi parallel-park that truck — the man is a true artist.
Wen is an artist at making excuses whenever he forgets a deadline.
- amateur
someone unskilled or doing it only for fun
文法句型
a real artist with N
an artist at + V-ing
用法筆記
Almost always with a positive modifier ('real', 'true', 'absolute') or in fixed shapes 'an artist with [tool]' / 'an artist at [V-ing]'. The 'at + V-ing' shape is often ironic, used for skill at things like making excuses or avoiding work.