craft
gb/kɹˈæft/ us/kɹˈæft/
A2
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
skill in making something
The ability to make or do something very well, usually using your hands or mind.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s craft
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'craft' with 'arts and crafts', which is a hobby activity, while 'craft' here refers more broadly to skill in a trade or art.
Synonyms
skill (A general term for ability; not limited to creative or manual work.)
|
artistry (Implies artistic creativity and beauty in the work.)
Antonyms
incompetence (Lack of ability or skill in doing something.)
Collocations
master the craft
|craft skills
|craft industry
|fine craft
Themes
art
|work
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Her craft as a potter is admired by many.
- The chef spent years perfecting his craft.
- Writing is a craft that requires constant practice.
- He takes pride in the craft of woodworking.
Learner examples
- She is good at the craft of painting.
- He learned the craft of making shoes.
- My uncle knows the craft of fishing.
- The craft of cooking takes time to learn.
Noun
B1
entity
2
vehicle for air or water travel
A boat, ship, or aircraft used for travel.
Usage pattern:
[type] craft
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'arts and crafts'. Here it refers to vehicles, not creative activities.
Synonyms
vessel (Usually refers to a ship or large boat.)
|
aircraft (Refers specifically to flying vehicles.)
Antonyms
land vehicle (A vehicle designed for travel on land, not water or air.)
Collocations
fishing craft
|naval craft
|space craft
|aircraft
Themes
transportation
|travel
Examples
- The harbor was full of small fishing craft.
- Several military craft were spotted offshore.
- The rescue team arrived in an inflatable craft.
- That spacecraft will orbit Mars next year.
Learner examples
- The fishing craft is at the dock.
- We saw many small craft on the river.
- The craft landed on the water.
- A large craft flew over the city.
Verb
B1
action
3
make something with skill
To make something carefully and with skill.
Usage pattern:
to craft [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'craft' as a noun when they mean the verb form; remember that as a verb it means to make something carefully.
Synonyms
create (A more general term for bringing something into existence.)
|
fabricate (Often used for making something, sometimes with implication of artificiality.)
Antonyms
destroy (To cause something to no longer exist; opposite of making it.)
Collocations
craft a speech
|craft a plan
|carefully crafted
|hand-crafted
Themes
art
|work
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She crafted a beautiful necklace from silver wire.
- The author crafted a compelling story.
- They spent weeks crafting the perfect proposal.
- He crafts furniture from reclaimed wood.
Learner examples
- She crafted a dress from old fabric.
- He crafted a box from wood.
- They crafted a plan to win the game.
- We crafted a card for our teacher.
Noun
A2
action
4
activity of making things by hand
A hobby or job where you make things by hand.
Synonyms
handicraft (Emphasizes handmade items, often traditional.)
Antonyms
mass production (Making products in large quantities by machines instead of by hand.)
Collocations
arts and crafts
|craft fair
|traditional crafts
Themes
hobbies
|art
|arts_entertainment
|work
Examples
- She sells her crafts at the local market.
- Crafts like knitting and pottery are popular again.
- The festival features traditional crafts from around the world.
Learner examples
- I like doing crafts at home.
- We learned a new craft at school.
- Crafts are fun to make with friends.
Noun
B2
entity
5
cleverness in achieving something
The ability to get what you want by being smart and sometimes dishonest.
Synonyms
cunning (Suggests skillful deception or cleverness.)
Antonyms
honesty (Being truthful and straightforward, without trickery.)
Collocations
political craft
|diplomatic craft
Themes
behavior
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He used all his political craft to win support.
- The spy's craft kept him alive behind enemy lines.
- She admired his craft in negotiating difficult deals.
Learner examples
- He used his craft to win the game.
- The thief showed great craft in hiding.
- She used her craft to get the job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
craft
IPA
GB/kɹˈæft/
US/kɹˈæft/
Syllables & stress
craft (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (craft)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: craft
- Plural: craft, crafts
Verb
- Base: craft
- 3rd Person Singular: crafts
- Present Participle: crafting
- Past: crafted
Word family
Forms
crafts
noun
crafting
verb
crafted
verb
Core family
craftsman
noun B2
craftsmanship
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
craftily
adverb
craftiness
noun
Expressions
arts and crafts
1/ˈɑɹts ˈænd kɹˈæfts/
fixed phrase
creative handmade activities
Activities where you make things by hand for decoration or use, like painting or knitting.
Examples
- Children enjoy arts and crafts at summer camp.
- The store sells arts and crafts supplies.
craft beer
1/kɹˈæft bˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
beer from small brewery
Beer made in small amounts by a small company using traditional methods.
Examples
- He ordered a local craft beer from the menu.
- Craft beer has become popular among young adults.
craft fair
1/kɹˈæft fˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
market for handmade goods
An event where people sell things they made by hand.
Examples
- We bought pottery at the craft fair.
- Craft fairs are held every summer in the park.
hand-crafted
1/hˈænd kɹˈæftɪd/
fixed phrase
made by hand not machine
Made completely by hand, not using machines.
Examples
- The shop sells hand-crafted furniture.
- Each piece is hand-crafted from local wood.
state-of-the-art craftsmanship
1/stˈeɪt əv ðə ˈɑɹt kɹˈæftsmənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
formal
top skill using latest methods
The best skill in making something using modern methods and designs.
Examples
- The building shows state-of-the-art craftsmanship.
- This device combines state-of-the-art craftsmanship with innovative design.