craft
1 of 2noun
ˈkraft 
plural crafts
1
: skill in planning, making, or executing : dexterity
"We have not the strength with which to fight this man; we must … win, if win we can, by craft."
Jack London
Jack London2
a
: an occupation, trade, or activity requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill
the carpenter's craft
the craft of writing plays
crafts such as pottery, carpentry, and sewing
He learned the craft as an apprentice.
b
crafts plural : articles made by craftspeople
a store selling crafts
a crafts fair
3
: skill in deceiving to gain an end
used craft and guile to close the deal
4
: the members of a trade or trade association
5
plural usually craft
a
: a boat especially of small size
b
: aircraft
c
: spacecraft
craft
2 of 2verb
crafted; crafting; crafts
transitive verb
: to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity
She is crafting a new sculpture.
a carefully crafted story
crafter
ˈkraf-tər
noun 
Synonyms
Noun
- art
- handcraft
- handicraft
- trade
Verb
- cast
- compose
- draft
- draw up
- formulate
- frame
- prepare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun never hesitated to resort to craft to get what they wanted in life borrowed a craft to get across the river Verb The furniture is crafted from bamboo. He is crafting a new sculpture. She crafted a strategy to boost the company's earnings.
Recent Examples on the Web Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 This quick fall craft will be the star of your Thanksgiving table. Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 His colleagues remembered him as a fierce journalist who was committed to his craft. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 More than two feet shorter, his pint-sized craft will be even more spatially challenged for the six-foot-tall Englishman. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2022 JP Music Festival is an opportunity to give a platform back to local artists who have struggled to share their craft with their neighbors and peers. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 In addition, the craft is quiet and maneuvers swiftly through the water. Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 The craft behind them is absolutely respectable, and if sushi appeals to you as part of the meal, go for it. Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Sprints’ craft has been strong, creative beers, many of which employ barrel-aging and bottle-conditioning. oregonlive, 27 June 2022 Meghan Bobrowsky, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 The Longhorns allowed three sacks last week in the 52-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe but will certainly craft a gameplan with Anderson and Co. in mind. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 When you guys craft contracts in the future, consider throwing this in there. Staff Reports, cleveland, 11 Aug. 2022 Let your kids' imaginations run wild by encouraging them to craft pumpkins in a variety of colors and patterns. Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, 18 July 2022 Originally launched in 1998, the 2022 Air Zoom Mercurial borrows off the recent Nike Zoom Ultra that included a KD12 Zoom unit by helping the design team craft the brand's first-ever Zoom Air unit specifically for soccer. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 22 June 2022 To coincide with a core theme of solidarity, the team has paired with Annecy to craft custom tickets for each screening that will also provide complimentary rides on the famed Annecy manège carousel at its Le Pâquier park. Holly Jones, Variety, 15 June 2022 Fresh and fun, this fragrance carefully layers multiple soft notes to craft the perfect summer scent without being occlusive. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 In short, crypto mining is a lucrative, energy-heavy enterprise, and lawmakers across the United States are scrambling to craft legislation in the hopes of attracting or regulating mining in their states as the practice proliferates. Dan Carson, Chron, 26 Apr. 2022 See More
Noun
Brady's partnership with Under Armour will include a short film in which a physical letter written by Tom to the next generation of athletes is narrated by another legend of their craft, Morgan Freeman. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 This quick fall craft will be the star of your Thanksgiving table. Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 His colleagues remembered him as a fierce journalist who was committed to his craft. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 More than two feet shorter, his pint-sized craft will be even more spatially challenged for the six-foot-tall Englishman. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2022 JP Music Festival is an opportunity to give a platform back to local artists who have struggled to share their craft with their neighbors and peers. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 In addition, the craft is quiet and maneuvers swiftly through the water. Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 The craft behind them is absolutely respectable, and if sushi appeals to you as part of the meal, go for it. Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Sprints’ craft has been strong, creative beers, many of which employ barrel-aging and bottle-conditioning. oregonlive, 27 June 2022 Verb
The new law will also require companies to craft their privacy policies in language that kids can understand and prohibit the profiling of children and the use of tools that encourage kids to share personal information. Meghan Bobrowsky, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 The Longhorns allowed three sacks last week in the 52-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe but will certainly craft a gameplan with Anderson and Co. in mind. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 When you guys craft contracts in the future, consider throwing this in there. Staff Reports, cleveland, 11 Aug. 2022 Let your kids' imaginations run wild by encouraging them to craft pumpkins in a variety of colors and patterns. Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, 18 July 2022 Originally launched in 1998, the 2022 Air Zoom Mercurial borrows off the recent Nike Zoom Ultra that included a KD12 Zoom unit by helping the design team craft the brand's first-ever Zoom Air unit specifically for soccer. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 22 June 2022 To coincide with a core theme of solidarity, the team has paired with Annecy to craft custom tickets for each screening that will also provide complimentary rides on the famed Annecy manège carousel at its Le Pâquier park. Holly Jones, Variety, 15 June 2022 Fresh and fun, this fragrance carefully layers multiple soft notes to craft the perfect summer scent without being occlusive. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 In short, crypto mining is a lucrative, energy-heavy enterprise, and lawmakers across the United States are scrambling to craft legislation in the hopes of attracting or regulating mining in their states as the practice proliferates. Dan Carson, Chron, 26 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, strength, skill, from Old English cræft; akin to Old High German kraft strength
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing craft
Kids Definition
craft 1 of 2
noun
ˈkraft
1
: skill in making things especially with the hands
2
: an occupation or trade requiring skill with the hands or as an artist
Carpentry is a craft.
3
plural usually craft : a boat especially when of small size
4
plural usually craft : aircraft
5
: skill and cleverness often used to trick people
What he lacked in speed … was more than made up for by his craft … Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill
Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hillcraft
2 of 2verb
crafted; crafting
: to make or produce with care or skill
craft 1 of 2
noun
1
as in art
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands an expert in the craft of cabinetmaking Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- art
- trade
- skill
- handicraft
- handcraft
- profession
- vocation
- occupation
- métier
- calling
- metier
2
as in boat
a small buoyant structure for travel on water borrowed a craft to get across the river Synonyms & Similar Words
- boat
- vessel
- canoe
- yacht
- kayak
- watercraft
- raft
- schooner
- cutter
- taxi
- cruiser
- lifeboat
- ferry
- barge
- sailboat
- skiff
- surfboat
- dinghy
- lighter
- catboat
- pontoon
- gig
- outboard
- powerboat
- rowboat
- shell
- flatboat
- bottom
- catamaran
- dhow
- scull
- coracle
- dink
- launch
- shallop
- paddleboat
- auxiliary
- punt
- pinnace
- motorboat
- keelboat
- keel
- jolly boat
- longboat
- houseboat
- piragua
- tugboat
- pirogue
- whaleboat
- towboat
- bateau
- scow
- inboard
- pram
- dory
- johnboat
- tug
- hovercraft
- narrow boat
- ketch
- riverboat
- sampan
- wherry
- gondola
- outrigger
- tub
- water taxi
- tender
- workboat
- curragh
- umiak
- garvey
- dugout
- trawler
- yawl
- currach
- rowing boat
- scalloper
- bumboat
- whaler
- lugger
- assault boat
- caïque
- coble
- ferryboat
- torpedo boat
- cockleshell
- airboat
- gillnetter
- banker
- hooker
- shrimper
- hydrofoil
- hydroplane
- dragger
- seiner
- hoy
- PT boat
- air-cushion vehicle
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery never hesitated to resort to craft to get what they wanted in life Synonyms & Similar Words
- deception
- deceit
- cunning
- fraud
- deceptiveness
- cheating
- deceitfulness
- craftiness
- lying
- duplicity
- fakery
- dupery
- guile
- dissembling
- secrecy
- wiliness
- dishonesty
- dissimulation
- crookedness
- cozenage
- artifice
- artfulness
- crookery
- foxiness
- subterfuge
- cunningness
- guilefulness
- trickery
- double-dealing
- fraudulence
- prevarication
- chicanery
- jugglery
- swindling
- skulduggery
- mountebankery
- treacherousness
- wile
- mendacity
- hypocrisy
- fib
- obliquity
- shrewdness
- insincerity
- equivocation
- legerdemain
- cageyness
- chicane
- skullduggery
- covertness
- smoothness
- falsehood
- furtiveness
- sneakiness
- caginess
- stealthiness
- underhandedness
- deviousness
- untruth
- slickness
- sanctimoniousness
- slipperiness
- shadiness
- shiftiness
- unscrupulousness
- slyness
- falsity
- hanky-panky
- two-facedness
- oiliness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sincerity
- artlessness
- openness
- forthrightness
- candor
- ingenuousness
- frankness
- plainness
- directness
- guilelessness
- honesty
- reliability
- good faith
- integrity
- probity
- plainspokenness
- goodness
- candidness
- dependability
- solidity
- trustworthiness
- truthfulness
- righteousness
- trustiness
- decency
- virtuousness
- reliableness
- uprightness
- trustability
- incorruptibility
4
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means celebrated in political circles for his craft, he's the legislator who knows how to get bills passed Synonyms & Similar Words
- cunning
- artfulness
- craftiness
- subtlety
- design
- guile
- wiliness
- ease
- subtleness
- canniness
- slickness
- sneakiness
- artifice
- cageyness
- slyness
- care
- caginess
- guilefulness
- foxiness
- deviousness
- calculation
- inventiveness
- cunningness
- ingenuity
- facility
- savvy
- cleverness
- finesse
- shrewdness
- ingeniousness
- duplicity
- sharpness
- shiftiness
- underhandedness
- deceitfulness
5
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something a really ingenious household appliance that shows a lot of craft on the part of its inventors Synonyms & Similar Words
- skill
- art
- skillfulness
- artistry
- artfulness
- creativity
- proficiency
- cunning
- talent
- adeptness
- expertise
- ease
- adroitness
- masterfulness
- deftness
- experience
- learning
- knack
- cleverness
- finesse
- gift
- artifice
- aptitude
- dexterity
- inventiveness
- flair
- knowledge
- ingenuity
- expertness
- handiness
- know-how
- bent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- artlessness
- ineptitude
- maladroitness
- ineptness
- amateurishness
- clumsiness
- inability
- awkwardness
- crudeness
- incompetence
- incapacity
- inefficiency
- rudeness
- inadequacy
- ineffectiveness
- ineffectuality
- klutziness
- incapability
- inefficacy
- ineffectualness
- inadequateness
craft
2 of 2verb
as in to prepare
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form spent hours crafting the perfect letter of recommendation for her prize student Synonyms & Similar Words
- prepare
- compose
- draft
- write
- formulate
- frame
- sculpture
- draw up
- shape
- fashion
- cast
- form
- pen
- build
- put together
- mold
- construct
- make
- state
- fabricate
- devise
- word
- assemble
- phrase
- express
- concoct
- couch
- verbalize
- author
- conceive
- compound
- reformulate
- redraft
- reframe
- indite
- piece (together)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of craft are artifice, art, cunning, and skill. While all these words mean "the faculty of executing well what one has devised," craft may imply expertness in workmanship.
the craft of a master goldsmith
In some situations, the words art and craft are roughly equivalent. However, art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.
the art of choosing the right word
While in some cases nearly identical to craft, artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.
believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice
The words cunning and craft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.
a mystery plotted with great cunning
The meanings of skill and craft largely overlap; however, skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.
the skill of a glassblower
- horseshoe bat
- horseshoe clam
- horseshoe crab
- Horseshoe Curve
- horseshoe nail
- horseshoe plate
- horseshoe snake
- horseshoe vetch
- horseshoe violet
- horseshoed
- horseshoeing
- horseshoer
- horseshoers
- horseshoes
- horseshows
- horsetail
- horsetail agaric
- horsetail corn
- horsetail family
- horsetail fungus
- horsetail lichen
- horsetail milkweed
- horsetail tree
- horsetaillike
- horsetails