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: deceitfulness, shrewdness, craftiness, deception

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 Words From

• craftless 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

There are currently more than 20 T-Level subjects to choose from, external, including accounting, craft and design, engineering and media production.

From BBC

At some point another craft might arrive, bringing a new crew or supplies of food, clothes, and equipment.

From BBC

Later that day, after the craft failed to resurface, the US Coast Guard was notified, sparking a vast search and rescue operation.

From BBC

“It was about the spy craft. But really what I found was how propulsive it was. It was the sort of television I love to watch.”

From Los Angeles Times

My art — my secrets, my traumas, rendered through the craft I've studied for decades — trades for the least, even when pieces go viral to millions of readers.

From Salon

Related Words

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