C1 verb Neutral

artifact

/ˈɑːrtɪfækt/

To introduce unintended distortions, anomalies, or artificial features into digital media or scientific data, typically during processing, compression, or transmission. It describes the act of creating glitches or false information that does not exist in the original source.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The video stream began to artifact heavily when the bandwidth dropped below 1 Mbps.

The video began to show visual glitches and pixelation when the internet speed slowed down.

2

It is crucial that the image processing algorithm does not artifact the medical scans, as this could lead to a misdiagnosis.

It is very important that the software does not create false visual errors in the medical images to avoid mistakes.

3

Is your screen artifacting? I see weird green squares appearing all over the display.

Is your screen showing visual errors? I see strange green boxes on your monitor.

Word Family

Noun
artifact
Verb
artifact
Adverb
artifactually
Adjective
artifactual
Related
artifacting
💡

Memory Tip

Think of an 'Artificial Fact'—it's something that looks like a fact in the data but was 'art-ificially' created by a technical glitch.

Quick Quiz

The video began to _______ noticeably when the signal strength fluctuated.

Correct!

The correct answer is: artifact

Examples

1

The video stream began to artifact heavily when the bandwidth dropped below 1 Mbps.

everyday

The video began to show visual glitches and pixelation when the internet speed slowed down.

2

It is crucial that the image processing algorithm does not artifact the medical scans, as this could lead to a misdiagnosis.

formal

It is very important that the software does not create false visual errors in the medical images to avoid mistakes.

3

Is your screen artifacting? I see weird green squares appearing all over the display.

informal

Is your screen showing visual errors? I see strange green boxes on your monitor.

4

If the sample is not prepared correctly, the electron microscope may artifact the biological structures.

academic

If the sample isn't ready, the microscope might create false features in the biological parts being studied.

5

The low-quality compression used in the prototype started to artifact the company logo during the demo.

business

The cheap compression method made the company logo look distorted during the presentation.

Word Family

Noun
artifact
Verb
artifact
Adverb
artifactually
Adjective
artifactual
Related
artifacting

Common Collocations

heavily artifacted containing many digital distortions
begin to artifact starting to show visual or data errors
digital artifacting the process of creating digital errors
compression artifacting distortions caused by reducing file size
visually artifact to create errors that can be seen

Common Phrases

artifacting errors

technical glitches appearing in data

artifact-free

without any technical distortions or glitches

visual artifacting

the appearance of glitches on a screen

Often Confused With

artifact vs artificial

Artificial is an adjective meaning man-made, whereas artifacting is the verb for creating unintended technical errors.

📝

Usage Notes

The verb 'artifact' is primarily used in technical contexts such as computer graphics, data science, and signal processing. In general English, 'artifact' is almost exclusively used as a noun meaning a historical object.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the verb to mean 'to create a historical object,' but it specifically refers to the creation of unintended technical distortions.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an 'Artificial Fact'—it's something that looks like a fact in the data but was 'art-ificially' created by a technical glitch.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'arte' (by skill) and 'factum' (thing made), originally referring to man-made objects.

Grammar Patterns

regular verb: artifact, artifacted, artifacting often used intransitively in tech contexts (e.g., 'the image is artifacting') can be used as a transitive verb (e.g., 'compression can artifact the image')

Quick Quiz

The video began to _______ noticeably when the signal strength fluctuated.

Correct!

The correct answer is: artifact

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