artifact
AR-tih-fakt
/ˈɑːr.tɪ.fækt/
An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest.
Distinguishes man-made objects from natural ones (like fossils).
The story behind the word. The word literally means 'something made with skill.' It reminds us that even a simple stone tool was once a piece of high technology for the person who crafted it.
Word relationships
- relic: A relic is usually a part of something older or a sacred object; an artifact is any man-made tool or item.
- antique: Antique refers to something old that is often valuable as furniture or decor.
- natural object: Something created by nature, not humans.
Commonly confused with
- fossil: A fossil is the remains of a living thing; an artifact is something a living thing made.
Collocations
- ancient artifact
- cultural artifact
- historical artifact
- precious artifact
Example sentences
- "The museum's collection includes many ancient Egyptian artifacts, such as pottery and jewelry." Archaeology.
- "The strange lines in the photograph were actually digital artifacts caused by a sensor error." Digital science.
Memory hook
It is a 'Fact' that 'Art' was used to make this. Man-made history.
When not to use
Don't use for modern, mass-produced items unless you are speaking from a future perspective.
Fun facts
- The spelling 'artefact' is more common in British English, while 'artifact' is standard in American English.
Explore more words
handicraft, craftsmanship, artisan, archive, memorabilia, curio
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