Word
craftsmanship
Phoneticscrafts·man·ship, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹæfsmənˌʃɪp/
UK/kɹˈɑːftsmənʃˌɪp/
Uncountable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“The wooden table shows excellent craftsmanship.”
“Collectors are willing to pay a premium for these watches because of the superior craftsmanship involved in their assembly.”
“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.”
Examples
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').
Real-World Examples
“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”.” “What truly distinguishes Williams as an architect is his attention to craftsmanship.” Etymology
From craftsman + -ship.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/craftsmanship