1 C1 informal
To add artistic decoration or design to something, often to make it look more appealing or stylish.
"The marketing team artted up the annual report with full-colour infographics."
separable
art up
C1 informal separable transitive
To make something look more artistic or decorative, often by adding visual design elements.
In plain English
Add artistic decorations or design to something to make it look fancier or more creative.
What does "art up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fill something up with art.
Actually means
Add artistic decorations or design to something to make it look fancier or more creative.
Usage tip
Relatively uncommon. Used in design, advertising, and publishing contexts. Can carry a slightly dismissive connotation — suggesting that the artistic additions are superficial rather than substantive. British English usage.
Words that pair with "art up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cover design poster document presentation packaging
How to conjugate "art up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
art up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
arts up
he/she/it
Past simple
arted up
yesterday
Past participle
arted up
have + pp
-ing form
arting up
continuous
Hear "art up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "art up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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