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 English period setting is conjured simply with an area rug, a sofa with a few throws and pillows and a draftsman table for Shotover’s wild engineering ideas. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Wolff originated the proposal that became Section 301 and was the lead draftsman of the Trade Act of 1974. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Willem de Kooning was the best draftsman of his generation of postwar American artists. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Contra Zola, Gérôme’s talents as a draftsman, combined with his slick finishes and his touches of veracity in costume and design, show how style was just as important to him as any subject. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

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