When someone uses artifice, it means they are being a bit clever or tricky, usually to get what they want. Imagine someone pretending to be very busy so they don't have to help with chores; that's an example of artifice. It's like using a clever plan, or even a small trick, to make something appear different from what it really is.
§ Grammar and Usage
The word artifice is a noun and generally does not change its form. It can be used in both singular and plural forms, though the singular is more common when referring to the general concept of clever trickery. When referring to specific instances or examples of such trickery, the plural 'artifices' can be used.
Typically, artifice is used with prepositions like 'of', 'with', 'by', or 'through' to indicate the nature or method of the trickery. For example, you might say 'an act of artifice' or 'achieved through artifice'. It can also follow verbs such as 'employ', 'use', 'resort to', or 'detect' to describe actions taken in relation to trickery.
§ Examples in Sentences
Let's look at some examples to understand how to effectively incorporate 'artifice' into your sentences:
- **Referring to deception:**
The politician's speech was full of artifice, designed to mislead the public rather than inform them.
- **Referring to a skillful device in creative work:**
The director used cinematic artifice to create a sense of unease throughout the film.
- **With prepositions:**
He achieved his goals not through honest effort, but by sheer artifice.
The magician's act relied heavily on artifice to create illusions.
- **In a more formal context:**
The detective was adept at seeing through the suspect's artifice.
- **Highlighting lack of naturalness:**
Her feigned sadness was an obvious artifice, designed to elicit sympathy.
§ Common Phrases and Collocations
- Act of artifice
- A specific instance of clever trickery or deception.
- Full of artifice
- Describes something or someone characterized by extensive use of trickery or deceit.
- Resort to artifice
- To use clever or dishonest methods when other options have failed or are not preferred.
- Without artifice
- To act or speak with sincerity and honesty, without deception.
수준별 예문
He used a clever artifice to make his project look more impressive than it really was.
He used a clever trick to make his project look more impressive than it really was.
Here, 'artifice' is used as a noun, meaning a clever trick or strategy.
The magician's act was full of artifice, making the audience wonder how he did his tricks.
The magician's act was full of clever devices, making the audience wonder how he did his tricks.
'Artifice' here refers to the skillful and ingenious methods used in his act.
Her smile was an artifice, hiding her true feelings about the bad news.
Her smile was a fake, hiding her true feelings about the bad news.
In this sentence, 'artifice' suggests a false impression or lack of sincerity.
The clever advertising used artifice to make people believe they needed the product.
The clever advertising used trickery to make people believe they needed the product.
Here, 'artifice' implies a deceptive strategy.
To win the game, they had to use a bit of artifice to outsmart their opponents.
To win the game, they had to use a bit of clever strategy to outsmart their opponents.
This sentence uses 'artifice' to mean a cunning plan or strategy.
The ancient story had many amazing artifices that kept the readers interested.
The ancient story had many amazing literary devices that kept the readers interested.
In this context, 'artifice' refers to ingenious literary or artistic devices.
He tried to cover up his mistake with a simple artifice, but everyone knew the truth.
He tried to cover up his mistake with a simple deception, but everyone knew the truth.
Here, 'artifice' means a deceptive act or pretense.
The movie plot relied on a clever artifice to create a big surprise at the end.
The movie plot relied on a clever device to create a big surprise at the end.
This example uses 'artifice' to mean an ingenious plot device or contrivance.
관용어 및 표현
"Sleight of hand"
Dexterity, especially in performing tricks; cunning; deception.
The magician's sleight of hand made the coin disappear right before our eyes.
neutral"Pull the wool over someone's eyes"
To deceive someone in a clever way.
He tried to pull the wool over my eyes about where he'd been, but I saw through his story.
informal"A Trojan horse"
A person or thing intended to undermine an enemy from within.
The seemingly innocent email attachment turned out to be a Trojan horse, infecting the entire network.
neutral"Smoke and mirrors"
Deception or misdirection, especially to hide a lack of substance or progress.
The company's impressive presentation was just smoke and mirrors, hiding their financial difficulties.
neutral"A cunning plan"
A clever and often deceitful scheme.
His cunning plan to secure the promotion involved spreading false rumors about his colleagues.
neutral"A ruse de guerre"
A trick of war; a stratagem.
The general employed a ruse de guerre, pretending to retreat to draw the enemy into an ambush.
formal"An artful dodge"
A clever and skillful way of avoiding something unpleasant or difficult.
He performed an artful dodge, skillfully evading the reporter's intrusive questions.
neutral"To gild the lily"
To adorn what is already beautiful or perfect; to add unnecessary ornamentation.
The artist tried to gild the lily by adding more details to the masterpiece, but it only made it worse.
neutral"A put-up job"
A deception or trick, often to make someone else appear guilty.
The entire investigation felt like a put-up job, designed to frame an innocent person.
informal"To dissimulate"
To conceal one's true feelings, thoughts, or intentions.
She tried to dissimulate her anger, but her clenched fists betrayed her true emotions.
formal어휘 가족
명사
형용사
팁
Contextual Learning
Always try to learn new words in context. Read sentences where 'artifice' is used to grasp its meaning and nuances.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Explore synonyms like 'deception,' 'trickery,' 'stratagem,' and 'ploy.' Consider antonyms like 'sincerity' or 'candor' to understand its opposite.
Sentence Construction
Practice forming your own sentences using 'artifice.' For example: 'His sudden display of generosity was mere artifice to win their trust.'
Pronunciation Practice
Say the word 'artifice' out loud. Pay attention to the stressed syllable: AR-ti-fice. This helps with recall.
Etymology Exploration
Understanding the word's origin can be helpful. 'Artifice' comes from Latin 'artificium,' meaning 'a craft' or 'a trick.' This highlights its dual meaning of skill and deception.
Distinguish Nuances
Be careful to distinguish 'artifice' from similar words. While it involves trickery, it often implies a degree of skill or cleverness in the deception, not just simple lying.
Literary Examples
Look for examples of 'artifice' in literature or drama. Often, characters use artifice to achieve their goals, making the word's meaning more vivid.
Formal vs. Informal
'Artifice' is a relatively formal word. It's more likely to be found in written language or sophisticated speech rather than casual conversation.
Flashcards & Spaced Repetition
Create flashcards with 'artifice' on one side and its definition and example sentences on the other. Use spaced repetition to reinforce your memory.
Relate to Personal Experience
Think of a time when you or someone you know used a clever trick or created a false impression. Connecting the word to a personal memory can make it more memorable.
셀프 테스트 42 질문
Listen for 'clever trick'.
Listen for 'special design'.
Listen for 'smart game'.
Read this aloud:
The game was fun.
Focus: fun
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
I like new things.
Focus: new
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
It is a good idea.
Focus: good
당신의 답변:
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The magician's trick was an amazing ___.
An 'artifice' can refer to a clever trick or device, which fits the context of a magician's act.
She used a little ___ to make her painting look older.
An 'artifice' can also mean a skillful device used to create a particular effect, like making a painting appear older.
He pretended to be sick as an ___ to avoid his chores.
In this context, 'artifice' refers to a trick or deceitful strategy, which aligns with pretending to be sick to avoid chores.
The clever inventor used a simple ___ to open the locked door.
Here, 'artifice' describes an ingenious device or method, which a clever inventor would use.
Her kind words were just an ___ to get what she wanted.
An 'artifice' can imply a lack of sincerity, suggesting her kind words were a trick to achieve a goal.
The show used a lot of special effects and ___ to amaze the audience.
In this sentence, 'artifice' refers to the use of clever devices or strategies to create a dazzling impression, like special effects in a show.
Write a short sentence about someone using a clever trick to win a game.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
He used a clever trick to win the card game.
Imagine you want to surprise a friend. What small, clever 'artifice' could you use to hide their present?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I will hide her present in a big box of clothes to surprise her.
Complete the sentence: 'The magician's _______ made the rabbit disappear.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The magician's trick made the rabbit disappear.
What did Tom do to get more cookies?
Read this passage:
Tom wanted to get extra cookies from his mom. He pretended to be very sad, saying his stomach hurt. His mom felt sorry for him and gave him another cookie. It was a small trick to get what he wanted.
What did Tom do to get more cookies?
The passage says, 'He pretended to be very sad, saying his stomach hurt.'
The passage says, 'He pretended to be very sad, saying his stomach hurt.'
Why did the boy tell his sister about a bird?
Read this passage:
A boy wanted to play with his toy car, but his sister had it. He told her there was a bird outside the window. When she looked, he quickly took his toy back. It was a clever way to get his toy.
Why did the boy tell his sister about a bird?
The passage states, 'When she looked, he quickly took his toy back.' This shows he used it to distract her.
The passage states, 'When she looked, he quickly took his toy back.' This shows he used it to distract her.
What did the girl use to hide better?
Read this passage:
The children were playing hide-and-seek. One girl hid behind a very small bush. She used some leaves to cover herself more, so it was harder to find her. It was a clever way to stay hidden.
What did the girl use to hide better?
The passage says, 'She used some leaves to cover herself more.'
The passage says, 'She used some leaves to cover herself more.'
This sentence describes someone using a clever trick to achieve their goal.
A magician's trick is a classic example of an artifice, meant to create an illusion.
This sentence implies someone is using a clever method to conceal their emotions.
This sentence describes how the magician used a clever trick to deceive the audience.
This sentence indicates that her friendship was a deception used to get money.
This sentence explains that her trickery was easily detected due to its simplicity.
The magician's impressive trick was nothing more than a clever ___.
Artifice refers to clever trickery, which fits the context of a magician's trick. The other options suggest sincerity or naturalness.
Her tears were an ___ designed to gain sympathy, not a genuine display of emotion.
In this sentence, 'artifice' describes something done to deceive, fitting the idea of fake tears to gain sympathy. The other words do not convey this meaning.
The elaborate set design for the play was a brilliant ___ to transport the audience to another world.
Here, 'artifice' refers to a skillful device or clever creation, like a set design, which is used to create an impression. It implies a constructed element rather than natural reality.
Despite his claims of expertise, his presentation was full of ___ to hide his lack of knowledge.
The sentence suggests an attempt to deceive or create a false impression, which is a key meaning of 'artifice'. The other options are antonyms.
The politician's smooth promises were just an ___ to win votes.
This context implies deception or trickery to achieve a goal, making 'artifice' the most suitable word. The other options are positive traits.
The complex plot of the novel was an impressive literary ___.
In this case, 'artifice' is used to describe an ingenious device in a creative work, fitting for a complex literary plot. The other words don't fit the creative context.
This sentence correctly orders the words to form a coherent statement about using artifice for a specific purpose.
This sentence correctly orders the words to describe a magician's trick as a clever artifice.
This sentence correctly orders the words to illustrate someone recognizing flattery as an artifice.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Contextual Learning
Always try to learn new words in context. Read sentences where 'artifice' is used to grasp its meaning and nuances.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Explore synonyms like 'deception,' 'trickery,' 'stratagem,' and 'ploy.' Consider antonyms like 'sincerity' or 'candor' to understand its opposite.
Sentence Construction
Practice forming your own sentences using 'artifice.' For example: 'His sudden display of generosity was mere artifice to win their trust.'
Pronunciation Practice
Say the word 'artifice' out loud. Pay attention to the stressed syllable: AR-ti-fice. This helps with recall.
예시
Her constant cheerfulness felt like a calculated artifice to hide her true disappointment.
관련 콘텐츠
관련 문법 규칙
Social 관련 단어
abanthropate
C1Describes a state of being removed from, or having lost, the essential qualities and characteristics of humanity. It is often used in philosophical or literary contexts to describe a person or entity that has transcended or been alienated from the human condition.
abhospence
C1A rare or formal term describing the state or act of lacking hospitality, or the deliberate withdrawal of a welcoming attitude towards guests or outsiders. It refers to a cold, inhospitable atmosphere or a specific instance where a host fails to provide expected comforts or kindness.
abjudtude
C1The state or quality of being formally rejected, cast off, or disowned through an authoritative or judicial decision. It refers to a condition of absolute renunciation where a person or entity is stripped of their previous status or rights.
abphobship
C1A formal adjective describing a systemic and deep-seated aversion to institutional hierarchies or organized authority figures. It is frequently applied in sociological and organizational contexts to describe individuals or movements that intentionally distance themselves from formal power structures.
abstinence
B2술이나 음식처럼 유혹이 되는 것들을 스스로 끊기로 결심하는 거야. 자기 절제력이 필요한 행동이지.
abtactship
C1물리적인 접촉이 없거나 만질 수 없는 상태를 말해요. 물질적이거나 신체적이지 않은 관계를 묘사할 때 사용해요.
abtrudship
C1To forcefully impose one's leadership, authority, or specific set of rules onto a group without their consent or prior consultation. It describes the act of thrusting a structured way of doing things upon others in a dominant or intrusive manner.
abvictious
C1To strategically yield or concede a minor position or advantage in order to ensure a greater ultimate victory. It describes a sophisticated form of success achieved through intentional, calculated loss or withdrawal.
abvolism
C1완전한 개인적 자율성을 얻기 위해 사회적 규범에서 의도적으로 거리를 두는 것을 의미해요.
acceptance
B2Acceptance is the act of agreeing to an offer, plan, or invitation, or the process of being received into a group or society. It also refers to the willingness to tolerate a difficult situation or the state of being approved by others.
