# craftsmen

/ˈkɹæfsmɛn/ (US) · /kɹˈɑːftsmɛn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/craftsmen
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

skilled workers who make things by hand with great care and quality. You use this to describe people who have mastered a traditional trade like woodworking or jewelry.

For teachers: skilled workers who practice a trade or handicraft with high proficiency. Plural form of 'craftsman'; while traditionally masculine, it is often used as a collective term for any group of skilled manual workers.

## Examples

- The local craftsmen sell handmade furniture at the market.
- The restoration of the cathedral required a team of expert craftsmen to repair the intricate stone carvings.
- Despite the rise of industrial manufacturing, these independent craftsmen continue to thrive by offering bespoke items that mass production cannot replicate.

## Usage notes

- Plural form of 'craftsman'. In modern professional contexts, 'artisans' or 'craftspeople' is often preferred for gender neutrality.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.