Artist or Artiste

[etc128]

As we know that artist refers to a person who draws, and artiste refers to an actor. But recently I had read in newspaper and they use artist for actor.

Are both words allow to interchange nowadays?

Please advise.

Thank you.

 

[Skrej]

I think 'artiste' is not widely used these days, nor was the distinction ever widely made.

Nowadays the term 'artist' is used for almost any kind of creative endeavor - painters, musicians, actors, authors, sculptors, even cooks.

One local hair salon even bills its staff as "hair artists", presumably to justify their higher prices. Of course, they also call themselves a "hair palace", whatever that's supposed to mean.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yuk! A hair palace? Not a place I'd want to stay!

 

[Rover_KE]

etc128, see also the Similar Thread with the almost identical title below.

 

[Tdol]

When artiste was more common, I heard it used more for singers and dancers than actors in the UK. However, it isn't used much nowadays.

 

[bubbha]

To me, "artiste" sounds pretentious, to the point of being comical.

 

[Rover_KE]

It's very common where I live, and a perfectly normal label for a professional entertainer.

etc128, the two words are very far from being interchangeable.

 

[Barb_D]

As an American, I hear "artiste" and it sounds dated and almost comical.
Singers, actors, painters, sculptors - all are artists for us.
Whether the fine arts or the performing arts, we use "artists."