craft

1 of 2

noun

ˈkraft 

plural crafts

1

: skill in planning, making, or executing : dexterity

"We have not the strength with which to fight this man; we must … win, if win we can, by craft."

—Jack London

2

a

: an occupation, trade, or activity requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill

the carpenter's craft

the craft of writing plays

crafts such as pottery, carpentry, and sewing

He learned the craft as an apprentice.

b

crafts plural : articles made by craftspeople

a store selling crafts

a crafts fair

3

: skill in deceiving to gain an end

used craft and guile to close the deal

4

: the members of a trade or trade association

5

plural usually craft

a

: a boat especially of small size

b

: aircraft

c

: spacecraft

craft

2 of 2

verb

crafted; crafting; crafts

transitive verb

: to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity

She is crafting a new sculpture.

a carefully crafted story

crafter

ˈkraf-tər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• art
• handcraft
• handicraft
• trade

Verb

• cast
• compose
• draft
• draw up
• formulate
• frame
• prepare

Choose the Right Synonym for craft

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised.

art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

Examples of craft in a Sentence

Noun

never hesitated to resort to craft to get what they wanted in life

borrowed a craft to get across the river

Verb

The furniture is crafted from bamboo.

He is crafting a new sculpture.

She crafted a strategy to boost the company's earnings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This tiered stand is great for creating layered Hors d'oeuvres offerings and perfecting the craft of presentation. —Kelly Wearstler, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024

It’ll be shot medium format with a fish-eye lens all perfect — that alone is a craft in itself. —Lee Spielman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Still, accessories added a whimsical touch, including precious bonnets, crowns and headpieces crafted by artist Patrizia Benedetta Fratus, daughter of the protagonist of the movie Maria Teresa Brescianini. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024

Key Background Project 2025’s policy agenda initially came out last year, part of what the Heritage Foundation has said is a long tradition of crafting policy recommendations for incoming Republican presidents that dates back to Ronald Reagan. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, strength, skill, from Old English cræft; akin to Old High German kraft strength

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing craft

• craft beer
• craft union
• landing craft
• pleasure craft

Kids Definition

craft

1 of 2 noun

ˈkraft 

1

: skill in planning, making, or doing

2

a

: an occupation requiring skill in using the hands : trade

b

plural : articles made by craftspeople

a store selling crafts

3

: skill in deceiving to gain an end

4

: the members of a trade

5

plural usually craft

a

: a boat especially of small size

b

: aircraft

c

: spacecraft

craft

2 of 2 verb

: to make by or as if by hand

crafted a sculpture

a carefully crafted story

crafter noun