handicraft

noun

hand·​i·​craft ˈhan-di-ˌkraft 

-dē-

plural handicrafts

1

a

: manual labor or skill

… firing the … products of his handicraft in a diminutive bee-hive kiln …

—William Laurel Harris

b

: an occupation requiring skill with the hands

… the highly skilled artisans who specialize in handicrafts like embroidery, beading and appliqué …

—Elizabeth Paton

2

: the articles fashioned by those engaged in handicraft

—usually plural

Woven baskets and other handicrafts were on display.

—often used before another noun

handicraft products/shops

a handicraft exhibition

handicrafter

ˈhan-di-ˌkraf-tər 

-dē-

noun

plural handicrafters

Synonyms of handicraft

• craft
• art
• trade

Examples of handicraft in a Sentence

Her favorite handicraft is sewing.

volunteers demonstrating early American handicrafts, such as blacksmithing, glassblowing, and weaving

Recent Examples on the Web

The digital revolution rocked the analog world of art, media and communication on a scale the industrial revolution did to agrarian and handicraft economies more than a century ago. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

The education department provided entertainers for parties, and there was a handicraft shop and travel bureau. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

For the designers, who retail across the United States and have a showroom in New York, the Diwali Ball red carpet showcases the full breadth of Indian handicraft. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

The heart of this town is a neat grid of small roads, lined with shops selling tours and safari trips amid a jumble of souvenirs and handicrafts, alongside a smattering of local eateries. — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English handi-crafte, alteration of handcraft

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for handicraft

• allograft
• autograft
• autographed
• countershaft
• homograft
• hovercraft
• lithographed
• overdraft
• photographed
• rotorcraft
• telegraphed
• understaffed

Kids Definition

handicraft

noun

hand·​i·​craft ˈhan-di-ˌkraft 

1

: an occupation (as weaving or pottery making) requiring skill with the hands

2

: articles made by one working at a handicraft

handicrafter

-ˌkraf-tər 

noun