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

One of the paradoxes of songwriting is that it can be fiendishly difficult to craft something that sounds effortlessly simple.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The online marketplace for crafts and vintage items also posted third-quarter earnings of $75.5 million, or 63 cents a share, up from $57.4 million, or 45 cents a share, a year earlier.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The restaurants are varied and delicious, and the craft beer scene is gaining traction.

Read more on MarketWatch

But he is first and foremost a footballer, as the Australians put it - a man dedicated to his craft who takes more pleasure from defensive plays than scoring tries.

Read more on BBC

Dan said it was clear that his uncle had thoughtfully crafted the mixtape, adding: "It was almost like his own album."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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