plural noun
Several creative fields or activities, such as music, painting, writing, and theater, considered together.
The arts bring together music, theater, painting, and dance.
The school offers arts programs in music, theater, and painting.
American English
How to pronounce arts
nounB1Very common word
AHRTS
/ɑɹts/
One syllable.
Form of art
Arts often appears in phrases such as the arts, martial arts, and arts and sciences.
Several creative fields or activities, such as music, painting, writing, and theater, considered together.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
Skills or methods that require practice, especially skills used to do something well.
The culinary arts require patience and careful training.
The arts of negotiation and diplomacy take years to master.
plural noun
Academic subjects in the humanities, such as history, literature, languages, and philosophy.
The university offers degrees in arts and sciences.
She studied arts and humanities before applying to law school.
Good to know
In academic contexts, arts can mean humanities subjects, not only creative activities.
Useful expressions
An object made as a piece of creative work.
That sculpture is a remarkable work of art.
Creative subjects and activities, such as music, painting, and theater.
She wants to study the arts.
Using the newest and best methods, equipment, or technology.
The clinic has state-of-the-art equipment.
Related words & forms
Arts often means creative subjects such as music, painting, and theater.