Skip to main content
artlessly

artlessly

1 6.7
In a simple honest way without trying to hide feelings
  • adverb
  • /ˈɑrtləsli/
translation icon : ingenuamente
  • She spoke artlessly about her childhood, sharing her experiences in a genuine way.
  • so artlessly

Examples

  • Savior was about to say something noncommercial but changed his mind and answered artlessly.

    Blog text (3)
  • The children painted artlessly, capturing their feelings with every stroke of the brush.

  • Yet the two went artlessly well together and made a whole.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • It was herself she played, without subterfuge, almost artlessly.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Isn't that the most expensive restaurant in Paris?" Yael artlessly asked Lee Bloom.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • But of his involvement with Christianity, he more than once suggests that he "may be naive" in addressing the issue so artlessly and without agenda.

    Blog text (19)
  • This was often the best part of his day, sitting on the couch talking to her; she was so entertaining and honest, so artlessly herself, that he always felt cleansed and refreshed by her company.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • His artlessly sincere compliment made her smile and feel appreciated.

Synonyms

ingenuously
vsartlessly
1 7.7

In an open and honest way that shows no hidden plan

adds a sense of plain naturalness rather than only honesty
guilelessly
vsartlessly
1 7.4

In a way that shows someone is honest and does not try to trick people

is similar but emphasizes simple natural manner over lack of trickery
unpretentiously
vsartlessly
1 6.4

In a simple, modest way without trying to impress others

is more about natural innocence than intentional modesty
unassumingly
vsartlessly
1 6.5

In a modest way that does not draw attention

is more about naive simplicity than deliberate low profile
undesignedly
vsartlessly
  • Literature
9.9

In a natural, simple way that does not seem planned

is about simple innocent behaviour rather than mere lack of planning
unartfully
vsartlessly
7.2

In a simple, honest way without trying to impress

leans more toward naive simplicity and lack of guile
unfeignedly
vsartlessly
  • Archaic
9.5

In a sincere and honest way that shows true feeling

stresses plainness and naivety more than formal sincerity
unfussily
vsartlessly
6.3

In a simple way without extra decoration

focuses more on innocent simplicity rather than being merely practical
unostentatiously
vsartlessly
7.8

In a quiet way that does not get attention

focuses on plain natural manner rather than on hiding display

Antonyms

5 6.5

In a clever and dishonest way to trick people

In a complex and carefully made way

How Natural

guilelessly
1 7.4
artlessly
1 6.7
naively
13 4.4
simply
110 1.0

Surface Forms

artlessly positive
artlesslier comparative
artlessliest superlative

Morphology

artlessly = artless (semi-transparent) = art + less + ly

The morphological formation 'artless' + '-ly' is regular, but the positive meaning 'natural/ingenuous' is a figurative extension of 'without art' that learners may not predict.

Etymology

The word artlessly comes from artless, which once meant 'without art', and art here means 'skill' or 'craft', the same root you see in artist and artisan. So to act artlessly is to act simply and naturally, without tricks or trying to seem clever.