crafty

[kraf-tee, krahf-]

adjective

craftier, craftiest 

1. skillful in underhand or evil schemes; cunning; deceitful; sly.

   Synonyms: scheming, designing, tricky, wily

2. Obsolete.,  skillful; ingenious; dexterous.

crafty

/ ˈkrɑːftɪ /

adjective

1. skilled in deception; shrewd; cunning

2. archaic,  skilful

Other Word Forms

• craftily adverb
• craftiness noun
• quasi-craftily adverb
• quasi-crafty adjective
• uncraftily adverb
• uncraftiness noun
• uncrafty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crafty¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English cræftig skilled. See craft, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Thanksgiving offers a chance to get crafty with traditional holiday staples.

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Rich, evocative, crafty and exciting, it’s one of the few standout movies of the year.

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As MacGruber, a riff on the equal parts cheesy and crafty ’80s television hero MacGyver, Forte attempted to diffuse a ticking time bomb while being distracted by the possible release of the Epstein files.

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“He’s got great hands, he can really handle the ball, he’s crafty, he’s got great feel, he’s a big-time player,” Cronin said of a player he recruited for years.

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Some crafty bond market person had gazed upon the subprime mortgage sprawl, as an ambitious real estate developer might gaze upon Oakland, and found an opportunity to rebrand some of the turf.

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Related Words

• astute 
• cagey 
• canny 
• devious 
• insidious 
• shrewd 
• slick 
• sly 
• wily