# croft

/ˈkɹɔft/ (US) · /kɹˈɒft/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/croft
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

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

---

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.