artificial feel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-to-medium (common in technical, manufacturing, and design contexts)Neutral, leaning formal in literal contexts; sometimes informal/figurative when describing experiences
Quick answer
What does “artificial feel” mean?
The tactile quality of something that is not natural, genuine, or authentic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tactile quality of something that is not natural, genuine, or authentic; the way something unnatural feels to the touch.
The subjective, often negative, sensation or impression created by something synthetic, simulated, or man-made, extending to metaphorical contexts describing insincerity or forced experiences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely consistent, though British English might pair it slightly more with 'synthetic' in technical contexts ('synthetic feel'). American English might use it more in consumer product descriptions.
Connotations
Primarily negative in both, implying inferiority to the natural counterpart. In some modern design/tech contexts (e.g., artificial leather), it can be neutral, simply descriptive.
Frequency
Comparably low in both, but more frequent in manufacturing, textiles, product design, and human-computer interaction literature.
Grammar
How to Use “artificial feel” in a Sentence
The [material] has an artificial feel.It feels artificial.to create/avoid the artificial feel of [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “artificial feel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new fabric manages to not feel artificial, despite being wholly synthetic.
- Does the control pad feel artificial to you?
American English
- The steering wheel doesn't feel artificial, even though it's not real leather.
- We don't want the user experience to feel artificial in any way.
adverb
British English
- The material was artificially made to feel like silk.
- The interface responds somewhat artificially.
American English
- The leather is artificially textured to mimic grain.
- The dialogue in the film flowed artificially.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In product development and marketing: 'We need to reduce the artificial feel of the new vegan leather to appeal to luxury consumers.'
Academic
In materials science or HCI studies: 'The experiment measured user preference correlated with the artificial feel of different haptic feedback interfaces.'
Everyday
Discussing clothing or furniture: 'I don't like this jumper; it has a bit of an artificial feel to it.'
Technical
In specifications for polymers, textiles, or touchscreens: 'The coating aims to mimic suede without the artificial feel common in earlier iterations.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “artificial feel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “artificial feel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “artificial feel”
- Using it to describe emotions (e.g., 'He showed an artificial feel' – incorrect).
- Treating it as an adjective + verb ('It feels artificially' – incorrect adverb form).
- Confusing 'artificial feel' with 'artificial feeling', where the latter can more easily refer to an emotion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily physical touch. When used abstractly for experiences (e.g., 'an artificial feel to the conversation'), it is a metaphorical extension from the tactile sense, implying a lack of natural flow or genuineness.
Mostly, but not always. In contexts where artificiality is the goal or is acceptable (e.g., 'the artificial feel of a gaming controller's vibration is part of the design'), it can be neutral or even slightly positive if it fulfills its intended function well.
They are often interchangeable in material contexts. 'Synthetic feel' is more strictly technical/chemical, referring to man-made materials. 'Artificial feel' has a broader scope, encompassing anything not natural, including simulated experiences and metaphorical inauthenticity.
It is most commonly used as the object of the verb 'have' or 'give' (e.g., 'has an artificial feel'), or in a descriptive prepositional phrase (e.g., 'with an artificial feel'). It functions as a noun phrase.
The tactile quality of something that is not natural, genuine, or authentic.
Artificial feel is usually neutral, leaning formal in literal contexts; sometimes informal/figurative when describing experiences in register.
Artificial feel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl fiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl fiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It has all the artificial feel of a cheap knock-off.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine touching a very realistic plastic plant. Your brain says 'leaf' but your fingers say 'ARTIFICIAL FEEL'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHENTICITY IS NATURAL / FAKENESS IS MAN-MADE. The phrase maps the abstract concept of inauthenticity onto the concrete, sensory domain of touch.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'artificial feel' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?