craft

[kraft, krahft]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• craftless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of craft¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of craft¹

Old English cræft skill, strength; related to Old Norse kraptr power, skill, Old High German kraft

Synonym Study

See cunning.

Example Sentences

Artificial intelligence can now craft award-winning essays and help doctors detect disease with impressive accuracy.

Read more on Science Daily

"She has such a craft and such an art to what she does in drag," he said.

Read more on BBC

"We are very serious about everything we do but live is a sacred space we have crafted over 10 years," she wrote.

Read more on BBC

In response, the European Union crafted a counterproposal more acceptable to Ukraine, and its member states are rushing to rearm as the bloc looks for ways to break its institutional gridlock.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Joyce Pont is sceptical whether that moment will arrive in the foreseeable future – she sees the building of superyachts and other such vessels as a 'craft' which will resist automation.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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