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

She hosts monthly arts and crafts workshops including activities like scrapbooking, punch needle embroidery and clay art.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Other recipients have turned theirs into arts and crafts projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

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

Libraries, of course, fit the bill, providing workshops, public readings and performances, along with arts and crafts classes.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025

She had just the thing to keep me busy until the class came together for arts and crafts.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia