craftsman
Americannoun
-
a person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan.
- Synonyms:
- handicraftsman, artificer
-
an artist.
noun
-
a member of a skilled trade; someone who practises a craft; artisan
-
Also called: craftswoman. an artist skilled in the techniques of an art or craft
Gender
Is craftsman gender-neutral? See -man.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of craftsman
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English craftes man “man of skill,” earlier craftman; compare Old English cræftiga “craftsman, workman” (derivative of cræftig “skilled”; see crafty)
Compare meaning
How does craftsman compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing craftsman
History of India - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
African History - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
History of India - Middle School and High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Everywhere you look will be an homage to the craftsman style that’s such a part of Pasadena’s history.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
You could play as a hero, a villain, a bard, a craftsman and more.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
In a dimly lit workshop in eastern China, craftsman Zhang measured and shaped a block of wood into a foot as dozens of half-completed life-sized Buddha statues looked on silently.
From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026
And items made by silversmiths may have their own special mark: A piece made by renowned American craftsman Paul Revere, for instance, will be marked “Revere.”
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
He was a fine craftsman to the tips of his fingers—even to the tips of his maimed hand.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
