draftsman

1 of 2

noun (1)

drafts·​man ˈdraf(t)-smən 

ˈdräf(t)-

1

: a person who draws plans and sketches (as of machinery or structures)

2

: a person who draws legal documents or other writings

3

: an artist who excels in drawing

draftsmanly

ˈdraf(t)-smən-lē 

ˈdräf(t)-

adjective

draftsmanship

ˈdraf(t)-smən-ˌship 

ˈdräf(t)-

noun

draftsmanship

2 of 2

noun (2)

drafts·​man·​ship -ˌship 

plural -s

: the art or practice of drawing or drafting

the forms of his earliest documents show that the clerks of his chapel included men trained in English conventions of draftsmanship

—F. M. Stenton

though the subjects of these paintings are different …, they are similar in their free draftsmanship and their decorative motifs

—Technical Studies

Examples of draftsman in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Her use of color is not outstanding, but she is a first-rate draftsman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The artist was an accomplished draftsman, and drawings accompanied nearly every step of his career. — Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Even the most complimentary appraisals of Raphael, which celebrate his multimodal genius—painter, draftsman, architect, poet, surveyor of antiquities—also mention his exquisite social tact and career climbing. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Himan’s main career was as a structural steel draftsman. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

In 1966, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, an architectural draftsman who became his partner in work and in life. — David Morgan, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for draftsman

• craftsman
• draftsmen
• draughtsman

Kids Definition

draftsman

noun

drafts·​man ˈdraf(t)s-mən 

ˈdrȧf(t)s-

: a person who draws plans (as for machinery)

draftsmanship

-ˌship 

noun

Legal Definition

draftsman

noun

drafts·​man ˈdrafts-mən 

: a person who prepares or composes legal or legislative documents

draftsmanship noun