# crafty

/ˈkɹæfti/ (US) · /kɹˈɑːfti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crafty
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. clever and deceptive

adjective · CEFR B2

clever at getting what you want by tricking people or being dishonest.

For teachers: skilful at achieving one's goals through indirect or deceitful methods; possessing guile.

- The crafty fox waited until the farmer left before entering the hen house.
- The negotiator used a crafty combination of half-truths and strategic silences to secure a deal that favoured his firm.

### 2. good at making things

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

skilled at making things by hand or using artistic skills.

For teachers: demonstrating dexterity or skill in manual crafts and artistic creation.

- She is very crafty and spends her weekends making handmade jewellery and cards.
- The local market is full of crafty individuals selling everything from hand-woven baskets to intricate wood carvings.

### 3. magical or occult

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

having to do with magic or mysterious powers.

For teachers: pertaining to or characterized by magical or occult influence.

- The old legends spoke of a crafty man who could turn lead into gold.
- In the medieval manuscript, the alchemist was described as possessing crafty knowledge that bordered on the forbidden.

## Examples

- The crafty fox waited for the farmer to leave.
- He came up with a crafty plan to get the promotion without his coworkers noticing.
- While his colleagues relied on brute force to close deals, he employed a crafty negotiation style that often left the other party wondering how they had conceded so much.

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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.