English Reference

Word

croft

US/ˈkɹɔft/

UK/kɹˈɒft/

Definition

n. a small farm in the Highlands or islands of Scotland. It usually includes a small house and a piece of land for growing food or keeping animals.

n. a small, rented farm holding in the Scottish Highlands or islands, typically worked by a tenant. Often associated with a traditional system of land tenure and subsistence agriculture.

Examples

“The family lives in a small croft near the coast.”

“Life on a remote croft requires hard work and a deep understanding of the local soil and weather patterns.”

“The historical clearance of the Highlands forced many families to leave their ancestral crofts, leading to a significant decline in the traditional rural population of northern Scotland.”

Examples

simple

“The family lives in a small croft near the coast.”

contextual

“Life on a remote croft requires hard work and a deep understanding of the local soil and weather patterns.”

complex

“The historical clearance of the Highlands forced many families to leave their ancestral crofts, leading to a significant decline in the traditional rural population of northern Scotland.”

Usage

Primarily used in a British and specifically Scottish context; refers to both the land and the associated dwelling.

Real-World Examples

“He's already been out in his kayak to catch fish, he's been foraging for mushrooms and berries, and he's enjoyed vegetables from his neighbour's croft.”
BBC News · 8 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/croft

English Reference