— noun 1. a. the creation of works of beauty or other special significance b. ( as modifier ): an art movement 2. the exercise of human skill (as distinguished from nature ) 3. imaginative skill as applied to representations of the natural world or figments of the imagination 4. a. the products of man's creative activities; works of art collectively, esp of the visual arts, sometimes also music, drama, dance, and literature b. arts See also fine art ( as modifier ): an art gallery 5. excellence or aesthetic merit of conception or execution as exemplified by such works 6. any branch of the visual arts, esp painting 7. ( modifier ) intended to be artistic or decorative: art needlework 8. a. any field using the techniques of art to display artistic qualities: advertising art b. ( as modifier ): an art film 9. journalism photographs or other illustrations in a newspaper, etc 10. method, facility, or knack: the art of threading a needle ; the art of writing letters 11. the system of rules or principles governing a particular human activity: the art of government 12. artfulness; cunning 13. get something down to a fine art to become highly proficient at something through practice