art 1 S1 W1 / ɑt $ ɑrt / 名词

1 [不可数名词] the use of painting, drawing, sculpture etc to represent things or express ideas :

the Museum of Modern Art in New York

an example of early Indian art

2 [复数形式，不可数] objects that are produced by art, such as paintings, drawings etc :

an art exhibition

an art critic

an arts and crafts fair

The exhibition features works of art by Picasso and Matisse.

3 [不可数名词] the skill of drawing or painting :

He’s very good at art.

an art teacher

art college

4 the arts [复数形式] art, music, theatre, film, literature etc all considered together :

Government funding for the arts has been reduced.

5 arts ( also the arts ) [复数形式] subjects you can study that are not scientific, for example history, languages etc → humanities

6 [可数和不可数名词] the ability or skill involved in doing or making something :

Television is ruining the art of conversation.

Writing advertisements is quite an art (= it is difficult to do ) .

have/get something down to a fine art (= do something very well )

I’ve got the early morning routine down to a fine art.

THESAURUS

types of art

modern art art from the late 19th century until now : I’m not very keen on modern art.

contemporary art art that is being created now : an exhibition of contemporary art

Western art art in Europe and North America : Velasquez was one of the greatest figures in the history of Western art.

fine art art, especially painting, which is made to be beautiful or affect your emotions, rather than to be useful : She wants to study fine art at college. | the Royal Academy of Fine Arts

abstract art paintings or images that consist of shapes or lines which do not look like people, places, or objects : it’s almost impossible for any artist not to be influenced by Picasso’s abstract art.

figurative art art that shows pictures of people, places, or objects : In this country, we always feel more comfortable with figurative art.

conceptual art a type of modern art, which shows ideas about the world : In conceptual art, the idea behind the work of art holds as much importance as the artwork itself.

applied art the use of artistic principles in the design of objects and images for people to use. This includes subjects such as fashion, jewellery design, architecture, and photography : Van de Velde taught at the new school of applied art.

primitive art art by people who live in societies where there is a very simple way of life and no modern technology or industry : The interest in primitive art came about largely through the work of Gauguin.

pop art art that shows ordinary objects that you find in people’s homes, which was made popular in the1960s by artists such as Andy Warhol : The relationship of advertising to art was part of the pop art phenomenon in the 1960s.

the visual arts painting, sculpture, and other art forms that you look at, not literature or music : The approach to the visual arts has changed in the last two decades.

the decorative arts the design and production of beautiful things for the home, such as furniture, pottery, and cloth : The exhibition will also cover the decorative arts.

the performing arts dance, music, or drama, done to entertain people : San Diego’s School for the Creative and Performing Arts

the plastic arts art that involves producing objects such as sculpures or pots : the decline of the plastic arts in the fifth century

performance art a type of art that can combine acting, dance, and other actions to express an idea : It will be a mixture of live performance art, music and poetry in an informal club setting.