■artificial /ˌɑːʳtɪˈfɪʃəl◂, ˌɑːʳtəˈfɪʃəl◂/ adjective usually before noun The juice contains no artificial coloring or flavors. I usually use artificial sweetener in my coffee instead of sugar. The plants can grow just as well in artificial light. ■synthetic /sɪnˈθetɪk/ adjective usually before noun ▪ synthetic materials or products are made using chemical processes: The rug is made from a mixture of wool and synthetic fibres. Many old herbal remedies have disappeared and been replaced by synthetic drugs. synthetic rubber ■man-made /ˌmæn ˈmeɪd◂/ adjective ▪ made or caused by humans, rather than existing naturally: The amusement park is built around a man-made lake. The coat is 80% wool and 20% man-made fibers. Current weather problems may actually be man-made, a direct result of environmental damage. ■processed /ˈprəʊsestǁˈprɑː-/ adjective only before noun ▪ processed food has not been left in its natural state, but has been chemically treated, especially in order to preserve it or make it look more attractive: Processed foods may lack the vitamins and minerals found in fresh produce. processed cheese Fully processed canned hams will not spoil and can be kept on the shelf.
2. made to look real or natural
■artificial /ˌɑːʳtɪˈfɪʃəl◂, ˌɑːʳtəˈfɪʃəl◂/ adjective usually before noun ▪ not real or natural, but made to look real or do the job of something real: On the table was a vase filled with artificial flowers. We have one of those electric heaters with artificial logs. It took Frank a while to learn to walk with the artificial leg. ■false /fɔːls/ adjective usually before noun ▪ not real - use this about teeth, nails, beards etc: Nearly a third of adults in the UK have false teeth. She was heavily made up, with false eyelashes and bright red lipstick. ■fake /feɪk/ adjective usually before noun fake fur/jewellery/antiques etc made to seem like real fur, jewellery etc, especially in order to make people think it is more valuable than it really is: Her coat had a fake fur collar and cuffs. You can buy fake Gucci bags all over the city. ■imitation /ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən◂, ˌɪməˈteɪʃən◂/ adjective usually before noun ▪ use this about materials that look like something valuable, but are actually made of something less expensive: Ted was wearing an imitation leather jacket. The dark blue sweater had imitation pearls sewn across the front. ■simulated /ˈsɪmjɑleɪtɪd, ˈsɪmjɑleɪtəd/ adjective usually before noun ▪ not real, but made to look, feel etc like a real thing, situation, or feeling: It was one of those horrible simulated-leather ‘executive’ chairs. Models of the bridge have been tested under simulated earthquake conditions.
artificial see ⇨ ARTIFICIAL 1,2 ⇨ PRETEND 6