artifice
gb/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/ us/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
C1
English
csel, fondorlat, műfogás, mesterkéltség, mesteri kivitelezés, leleményesség
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[an] artifice to [do something]; through/by artifice
The charity was a front—an artifice to move stolen money.
A jótékonysági szervezet csak fedőszervezet volt – egy csel a lopott pénz mozgatására.
He used a legal artifice to delay the eviction for months.
Egy jogi csellel hónapokkal elhalasztotta a kilakoltatást.
Her sudden tears felt like an artifice designed to win sympathy.
Learner examples
It was an artifice to confuse the public.
Ez egy csel volt a közvélemény összezavarására.
He saw through her artifice.
Átlátott a cselén.
Common mistake:
Often confused with artifact (an object) or artificial (not natural).
Meaning
a clever trick to deceive
Collocations
a clever artifice
|a legal artifice
|a political artifice
|a marketing artifice
|a transparent artifice
|a calculated artifice
|an artifice to avoid taxes
|an artifice to gain time
|through artifice
|mere artifice
Synonyms
trick (More general and everyday; less formal.)
|
ruse (Emphasizes a deceptive plan, often short-term.)
|
stratagem (Suggests a planned tactic, often in politics or conflict.)
Antonyms
honesty (Direct truthfulness rather than deception.)
|
candor (Open, frank speech with no attempt to mislead.)
Themes
crime
|politics
|business
|law
|communication
Definition
a clever trick used to fool people
A clever plan, trick, or device used to deceive someone or to achieve something by misleading means.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
műfogás
C1
Usage pattern:
[adjective] artifice; the artifice of [a work/argument]
The sudden amnesia felt like a narrative artifice rather than a believable twist.
A hirtelen amnézia inkább tűnt narratív műfogásnak, mint hihető fordulatnak.
The director uses a clever cinematic artifice to show two timelines at once.
A rendező egy ügyes filmes műfogással mutat be egyszerre két idősíkot.
She dismissed the comparison as a rhetorical artifice that distracts from the facts.
Learner examples
Some readers dislike obvious artifice in stories.
Néhány olvasó nem szereti a történetekben a feltűnő műfogásokat.
Common mistake:
In reviews, artifice often means “contrived technique,” not necessarily “a lie.”
Meaning
a contrived device for effect
Collocations
narrative artifice
|literary artifice
|dramatic artifice
|cinematic artifice
|a stylistic artifice
|a structural artifice
|a clever artifice
|a clumsy artifice
|an obvious artifice
|a theatrical artifice
Synonyms
device (Neutral term for a technique; less critical in tone.)
|
contrivance (Often implies something forced or unnatural.)
|
gimmick (More informal; suggests a showy, attention-grabbing device.)
Antonyms
naturalism (A style aiming for natural, lifelike presentation rather than contrived effects.)
|
simplicity (Lack of elaborate technique or manipulation.)
Themes
arts
|media
|literature
|education
|communication
Definition
a technique that feels planned or not natural, used to create an effect
A deliberate, often noticeable technique or device used to create an effect, especially in literature, film, art, or argument.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
without artifice; beneath/behind the artifice of [something]
She spoke with a warmth that seemed free of artifice.
Olyan melegen beszélt, hogy abban nem érződött semmi mesterkéltség.
Behind the artifice of politeness, he was clearly irritated.
Az udvariasság mesterkéltsége mögött egyértelműen érződött az ingerültsége.
The interview was unusually direct, with very little artifice.
Learner examples
I like her because she has no artifice.
Azért kedvelem, mert nincs benne semmi mesterkéltség.
Common mistake:
This meaning is close to “pretence,” not “a physical object.”
Meaning
insincere or affected behavior
Collocations
social artifice
|the artifice of politeness
|the artifice of charm
|beneath the artifice
|behind the artifice
|stripped of artifice
|free of artifice
|full of artifice
|sheer artifice
|polite artifice
Synonyms
pretense (Directly focuses on pretending or putting on a false show.)
|
affectation (Emphasizes unnatural, performative manners or style.)
|
insincerity (General lack of genuine feeling or truth.)
Antonyms
sincerity (Genuine feeling without pretense.)
|
authenticity (Being real and true to oneself rather than performing.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
|society
Definition
behavior that is not sincere or is too carefully made
Insincere, artificial, or overly polished behavior or expression, especially used to create a particular impression.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
the artifice of [a maker/craft]; [adjective] artifice
The clock’s tiny gears reveal extraordinary artifice for its time.
Az óra apró fogaskerekei a maga korához képest rendkívüli mesteri kivitelezésről árulkodnak.
The bridge is admired for the artifice of its construction.
A hidat a szerkezetének mesteri kivitelezése miatt csodálják.
Her embroidery shows patient artifice and precision.
Common mistake:
In modern English this sense is less common; many listeners will first think of “deception.”
Meaning
skillful craftsmanship or workmanship
Collocations
remarkable artifice
|great artifice
|traditional artifice
|mechanical artifice
|the artifice of the builder
|the artifice of the maker
|human artifice
|craft and artifice
Synonyms
craftsmanship (The most common modern word for skilled making.)
|
ingenuity (Focuses on cleverness in design or problem-solving.)
|
skill (Broader and more general.)
Antonyms
clumsiness (Lack of skill and control in making or doing.)
|
ineptitude (General inability or poor competence.)
Themes
arts
|design
|work
|history
Definition
high skill in making something
Skilled workmanship or ingenuity in making or constructing things, especially in a way that shows technical ability.
Grammar
Dictionary form
artifice
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
US/ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
Syllables & stress
ar - ti - fice (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: artifice
- Plural: artifice, artifices
Word family
Forms
artifices
noun
Core family
artificial
adjective A2
artificially
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
artless
adjective
Advanced or less common
artificiality
noun
Expressions
with artifice
1/wˈɪθ ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
in a contrived or deceptive way
using tricks or an unnatural style
Examples
- The product is presented with artifice, promising results it can’t deliver.
- He told the story with artifice, leaving out the parts that made him look bad.
- The scene is staged with artifice to heighten the tension.
without artifice
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɑɹtəfɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
in a natural, sincere way
honestly and naturally, not pretending
Examples
- She answered the question without artifice.
- The memoir is written without artifice, and that honesty is its strength.
- He greeted us without artifice, as if we were old friends.
Learner examples
- Please speak without artifice.