English Reference

Word

craft

US/ˈkɹæft/

UK/kɹˈɑːft/

Definitions

01manual skill

B2

n. a skill or activity that involves making things with your hands, like pottery or woodwork.

n. skill or dexterity in a particular manual occupation or artistic practice.

“She spent years perfecting her craft as a professional furniture maker.”

“The exhibition showcases the traditional craft of glassblowing, highlighting techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries.”

Antonyms

02a vehicle

B2

n. a boat, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.

n. a vehicle designed for navigation through water, air, or space; often used as a collective noun for multiple vessels.

“The small fishing craft struggled against the heavy waves near the coast.”

“The naval base houses various landing craft and support vessels used for coastal defence operations.”

Usage

The plural form can be 'craft' or 'crafts', but 'craft' is more common when referring to multiple vessels of the same type.

03cunning

C1

n. the use of clever but often dishonest methods to get what you want.

n. skill in deception or trickery; guile.

“He used all his craft to persuade the guards to let him pass.”

“The politician was known for his political craft, often outmanoeuvring his rivals through subtle manipulation and strategic alliances.”

Literary

Synonyms

cunningguileslyness

Antonyms

04to make carefully

B2

v. to make something with great skill and attention to detail.

v. to construct or develop something with meticulous care and professional skill.

“The author spent months crafting the perfect ending to her novel.”

“Each piece of jewellery is carefully crafted by hand, ensuring that no two items are exactly alike.”

Antonyms

botchrush

Real-World Examples

“When carefully managed, places such as Baringo and M'Goun can support local guides, accommodation, museums, transport, crafts and food businesses.”
Phys.org · 9 Sept 2026
“By the time the craft and crew were ready for action, however, the British had moved their ships to New York City .”
Smithsonian Magazine · 3 Sept 2026

Etymology

From Middle English craft (“strength, skill”), from Old English cræft (“strength, skill”), from Proto-West Germanic kraftu, from Proto-Germanic kraftuz (“strength, power”); further origin obscure. Cognate with German Kraft (“strength, power, force, energy, employee”) and Danish kraft (“strength, power, force”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

sense of craft — aptitude for craftsmanship.

Domains

FishingNautical

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/craft

English Reference