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• arts and crafts
  arts and crafts

  noun

  the handcrafting and decoration of especially utilitarian objects.
• Arts and Crafts
  Arts and Crafts

  plural noun

  decorative handicraft and design, esp that of the Arts and Crafts movement , in late nineteenth-century Britain, which sought to revive medieval craftsmanship

arts and crafts

American  

noun

1. the handcrafting and decoration of especially utilitarian objects.

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Arts and Crafts British  

plural noun

1. decorative handicraft and design, esp that of the Arts and Crafts movement , in late nineteenth-century Britain, which sought to revive medieval craftsmanship

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Etymology

Origin of arts and crafts

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does arts-and-crafts compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• arts and crafts vs. craftsman

Example Sentences

It educates us in many arcane worlds of arts and crafts, quilts, chairs, pickle crocks and other items whose value really can be in the eye of the beholder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

"This Easter, there are a range of HAF activities available, including sports, swimming, theatre, dance, arts and crafts."

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Fun is familiar here, with events like the Columbia Festival of the Arts with – what else – arts and crafts, live music and kids’ activities.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

Where: Pioneer Elementary School, 2010 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood Diwali celebrations will include food vendors, music, dance, and arts and crafts booths — as well as traditional Rangoli displays.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

“He just started teaching arts and crafts to seniors and kids at the Community Center.”

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney