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.

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

He advised students in liberal arts to major in law, accounting, or Chinese literature, reasoning that these fields most commonly led to recruitment after civil service exams.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 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

To recommit to ideals that have made a strong liberal arts education foundational to American democracy: critical thinking, dialogue, pluralism, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

And I'm already enrolled at a small liberal arts college and set to begin this fall, although I won't be playing basketball.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick