craft

play

noun \ ˈkraft \

Definition of craft

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

2 a :an occupation or trade 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

See craft defined for English-language learners

See craft defined for kids

Examples of craft in a Sentence

the craft of cabinetmaking was much admired in colonial times
borrowed a craft to get across the river

Origin and Etymology of craft

Middle English, strength, skill, from Old English cræft; akin to Old High German kraft strength

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

craft Synonyms

Synonyms

art, handcraft, handicraft, trade

Antonyms

artlessness, forthrightness, good faith, guilelessness, ingenuousness, sincerity

Related Words

skill; calling, métier (also metier), occupation, profession, vocation

Near Antonyms

candidness, candor, directness, frankness, openness, plainness, plainspokenness; honesty, probity; dependability, reliability, reliableness, solidity, trustability, trustiness, trustworthiness; decency, goodness, incorruptibility, integrity, righteousness, truthfulness, uprightness, virtuousness

Synonym Discussion of craft

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

- the art of choosing the right word

skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

- the skill of a glassblower

cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

- a mystery plotted with great cunning

artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

- believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

- the craft of a master goldsmith

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

craft

verb

Definition of craft

transitive verb

:to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity

She is crafting a new sculpture.

a carefully crafted story

—

crafter

play \ˈkraf-tər\ noun

See craft defined for English-language learners

Examples of craft in a Sentence

The furniture is crafted from bamboo.
He is crafting a new sculpture.
She crafted a strategy to boost the company's earnings.

Recent Examples of craft from the Web

Beer still remained the focus, highlighted by food crafted to pair exceedingly well with the many bottles and taps on offer.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Gralehaus is one of the restaurants making Louisville shine | Review," 23 Aug. 2017
Failure to find an agreement would erode the time available for the U.K. and EU to craft a long-term trade accord -- and that is where the bloc holds the upper hand.

— cat rutter pooley, Bloomberg.com, "Theresa May Compromises on EU Court to Speed Up Brexit Talks," 22 Aug. 2017
The company also partners with Native American artisans who craft jewelry, bags, and quilts as part of an artist collective—

— julia herbst, Los Angeles Magazine, "11 Women Who Are Making L.A. a Better Place," 17 Aug. 2017
Using an old photography book called Red Couch Portrait America as inspiration, Webb and the promotions team came up with the idea of crafting a giant orange sofa—to match Nickelodeon’s famous logo—and making it the block’s official mascot.

— alex suskind, vanityfair.com, "Inside Nickelodeon’s Saturday Night Gamble," 15 Aug. 2017
New cocktail, food menus Cafe 21 has launched a new organic cocktail menu, crafted by owner/chef Leyla Javadov in collaboration with Greebar Distillery.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Please sir, I want s'more. San Diego restaurants celebrate classic campfire treat," 9 Aug. 2017
For the first month, area teams will look to craft their game with tournaments and key non-district matchups before district play and the postseason, and ultimately the state tourney in Garland in November.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "High school volleyball preview: Players to watch as teams look to state in November," 4 Aug. 2017
To craft the perfect running shoe, the experts at Adidas used Aramis, a motion tracking technology to detail you body's movements.

— christine flammia, Esquire, "Adidas' New Laceless Ultra Boost Is the Shoe We Needed," 2 Aug. 2017
Talks with the House would follow, with the hope of crafting a compromise repeal-and-replace bill that could pass both chambers sometime in the fall.

— Washington Post, "GOP seeks support for narrow version of “Obamacare” repeal," 27 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'craft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of craft

see ¹craft

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

craft Synonyms

Synonyms

cast, compose, draft, draw up, formulate, frame, prepare

Related Words

fabricate, fashion, form, mold, sculpture, shape; couch, express, phrase, state, verbalize, word; author, indite, pen, write; conceive, concoct, devise; build, construct, make; assemble, compound, piece (together); redraft, reformulate, reframe

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

CRAFT Defined for English Language Learners

craft

play

noun

Definition of craft for English Language Learners

: an activity that involves making something in a skillful way by using your hands
: a job or activity that requires special skill
crafts : objects made by skillful use of the hands

craft

verb

Definition of craft for English Language Learners

: to make or produce (something) with care or skill

CRAFT Defined for Kids

craft

play

noun \ ˈkraft \

Definition of craft for Students

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

craft

verb

Definition of craft for Students

crafted; crafting

:to make or produce with care or skill

Learn More about craft

See words that rhyme with craft Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for craft Spanish Central: Translation of craft Nglish: Translation of craft for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of craft for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about craft

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up craft? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

craft

Definition of craft

Explore M-W

Examples of craft in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of craft

craft Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of craft

Other Handicraft Terms

craft

Definition of craft

crafter

Examples of craft in a Sentence

Recent Examples of craft from the Web

Origin and Etymology of craft

craft Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Handicraft Terms

Phrases Related to CRAFT

Related Phrases

CRAFT Defined for English Language Learners

craft

Definition of craft for English Language Learners

craft

Definition of craft for English Language Learners

CRAFT Defined for Kids

craft

Definition of craft for Students

craft

Definition of craft for Students

Learn More about craft

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066