English Reference
Noun

craftsmanship

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /ˈkɹæfsmənˌʃɪp/ UK /kɹˈɑːftsmənʃˌɪp/ crafts·man·ship UK spelling craftsmanships

n.the high quality of something that is made by hand. It shows that the person who made it has great skill and cares about their work.

n.the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand; skill in a particular craft. Refers to both the technical proficiency and the aesthetic care invested in a physical object.


SIMPLE

The wooden table shows excellent craftsmanship.

CONTEXTUAL

Collectors are willing to pay a premium for these watches because of the superior craftsmanship involved in their assembly.

COMPLEX

In an era of mass production, the meticulous craftsmanship of the hand-stitched leather bindings stands as a testament to the artisan's dedication to traditional techniques.

Usage

Uncountable in its general sense; occasionally used with 'of' to specify the creator ('the craftsmanship of the master').

When Volver, a gumbo of ghosts, murder and mother-daughter devotion, was released in 2006, critic Peter Matthews saw only the “smooth, velvety craftsmanship” of a “failed iconoclast”.

The Guardian· 21 Aug 2026

What truly distinguishes Williams as an architect is his attention to craftsmanship.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

From craftsman + -ship.

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

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated