draftsman

American  

[drafts-muhn, drahfts-] / ˈdræfts mən, ˈdrɑfts- /

British, draughtsman

noun

plural

draftsmen

1. a person employed in making mechanical drawings, as of machines, structures, etc.

2. a person who draws sketches, plans, or designs.

3. an artist exceptionally skilled in drawing.

   Matisse was a superb draftsman.

4. a person who draws up documents.

5. draughtsman.

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draftsman British  

/ ˈdrɑːftsmən /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of draughtsman draughtsman

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Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

• draftsmanship noun

Etymology

Origin of draftsman

First recorded in 1655–65; draft + 's ¹ + man

Example Sentences

He began his 35-year career at the iconic American automaker in 1968 as a draftsman and retired as a product engineering design supervisor in 2003.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

Greene had several jobs, including draftsman and steelworker, before becoming an actor in the 1970s.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

When Holden returned to the U.S., he decided to become a draftsman.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

He parents hoped he would become a draftsman but he discovered a facility for writing when he worked on the student newspaper.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

He asks Theo to keep an ear open for jobs as a draftsman, and also to let him know what’s going on in the art world.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman