craft

American  

[kraft, krahft] / kræft, krɑft /

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 British  

/ 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

Related Words

See cunning.

Other Word Forms

• craftless adjective

Etymology

Origin of craft

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

Example Sentences

Why are millions of viewers following along with antique watch-repair videos and learning the craft themselves?

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Those of us who practice writing as a professional craft have an ethical duty, and sometimes a contractual obligation, to ensure that our work is original.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

As well as running a community pantry, All Pulling Together helps people find employment, hosts activities such as craft groups and book clubs, and supports children who aren't in school to get back into education.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

A coastguard spokesman told AFP that the craft had endured "unfavourable meteorological conditions" during their odyssey.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

His craft had struck an unyielding mass and stuck in it.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

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