craft

American  

[kraft, krahft] / kræft, krɑft /

noun

plural

crafts, craft

1. an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill.

   the craft of a mason.

2. skill; dexterity.

   The silversmith worked with great craft.

   Synonyms:

   ability, talent

3. skill or ability used for bad purposes; cunning; deceit; guile.

   Synonyms:

   deception, deceitfulness, shrewdness, craftiness

4. the members of a trade or profession collectively; a guild.

5. a ship or other vessel.

6. a number of ships or other vessels taken as a whole.

   The craft were warned of possible heavy squalls.

7. aircraft collectively.

8. a single aircraft.

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adjective

1. noting or relating to a food or other product made with special skill, especially manual skill.

   craft beer; craft coffee; a line of craft furniture.

verb (used with object)

1. to make or manufacture (an object or product) with skill and careful attention to detail.

craft British  

/ krɑːft /

noun

1. skill or ability, esp in handiwork

2. skill in deception and trickery; guile; cunning

3. an occupation or trade requiring special skill, esp manual dexterity

4. 1. the members of such a trade, regarded collectively

   2. ( as modifier )

      a craft guild

5. a single vessel, aircraft, or spacecraft

6. (functioning as plural) ships, boats, aircraft, or spacecraft collectively

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verb

1. (tr) to make or fashion with skill, esp by hand

Related Words

See cunning.

Other Word Forms

• craftless adjective

Etymology

Origin of craft

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cræft “strength, skill”; cognate with German Kraft, Dutch kracht, Old Norse kraptr

Example Sentences

“The last thing someone who’s crafted a beautiful score wants is some rock star to come in and sing all over the top of it,” said Cave, himself an experienced film composer.

From Los Angeles Times

Not only are the gondolas imported from Italy, but the gondoliers are professionally trained singers who travel to Italy to learn the craft.

From Salon

She has been an active part of crafting Sloane Stephens’ image ahead of her return to pro tennis.

From Los Angeles Times

Those prices don’t include the millions or tens of millions that brands often spend to craft new ads for the big game.

From The Wall Street Journal

Drawing on this vast resource, the author crafts an intimate family portrait, spanning almost half a century to the brink of the Civil War.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aircraft
• airplane
• barge
• boat
• plane
• ship
• spacecraft
• vessel