# kraft

/ˈkɹæft/ (US) · /kɹˈɑːft/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. strong brown paper

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a strong, smooth brown paper used for wrapping things or making bags.

For teachers: a strong, usually brown paper produced from wood pulp by a chemical process. Uncountable in its material sense.

- The shop assistant wrapped the glass vase in thick kraft paper to keep it safe.
- The manufacturer switched to heavy-duty kraft for their shipping envelopes to reduce the risk of tearing during international transit.

Usage: Often used as a compound noun: 'kraft paper'.

Teaching tip: While the word comes from German, in English it is almost exclusively used in the context of paper and packaging.

## Examples

- The store packs your groceries in a brown kraft bag.
- The artist chose heavy kraft paper for the sketches because of its textured surface and durability.
- Industrial manufacturers prefer kraft packaging for international shipping due to its high tensile strength and resistance to tearing under significant mechanical stress.

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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.