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artisanal

ar-TIZ-uh-nuhl /ɑːˈtɪz.ən.əl/

adjectiveC1SATGRE

neutralmarketing

Relating to or characteristic of an artisan; made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients.

Currently a popular marketing term that suggests quality, care, and small-batch production.

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'artitus', meaning 'skilled', which comes from 'ars' (art/skill). It entered English via the French 'artisan'.

Word relationships

handcrafted: Handcrafted is a simpler term; artisanal implies a professional level of traditional skill.
traditional: Traditional refers to the method; artisanal refers to the person and the quality.

industrial: Relating to large-scale, machine-based manufacturing.
mass-produced: Produced in large quantities using standardized designs and machinery.

Commonly confused with

artistic: Artistic refers to aesthetic beauty; artisanal refers to the skill of the maker and the quality of the craft.

Word family

artisan (noun): A worker in a skilled trade.

Collocations

artisanal cheese
artisanal bread
artisanal craft

Example sentences

"The city has seen a surge in artisanal bakeries that use ancient grains and long fermentation processes." Describing food trends.
"The company prides itself on its artisanal approach to leatherworking, with every bag stitched by hand." Describing manufacturing.

Memory hook

An 'artisanal' product is 'art' in a 'can' (well, not literally, but it's skillful). Skillful and traditional.

When not to use

Avoid using for mass-produced goods, even if they are high quality.

Fun facts

The 'Artisanal' label is not legally regulated in many countries, leading to its frequent use in 'greenwashing' or 'craftwashing'.