liberal arts

NOUN

general knowledge studies

Synonyms

STRONGEST

mathematics

WEAK

general education history language liberal studies literature philosophy science trivium and quadrivium

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nevertheless, Clark suggested a young person who may be feeling that an economy built on AI does not have a place for them should "develop a hobby" and pursue a liberal arts education.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Outside students from a liberal arts college are practiced in abstract analytical thinking—how institutions are made, what purpose they serve, for whom.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

Among the buildings damaged in the weekend attack was the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, a small college that specialises in liberal arts.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

“Vladimir” began shooting in July 2025 in Toronto, which stood in for an undefined liberal arts college town.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Apart from the liberal arts, the skills of the educated, there were plenty of arts that involved manual labour—mechanical arts—such as goldsmithing or masonry.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton