I. craft 1 W3 /krɑːft $ kræft/ BrE AmE noun
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: cræft 'strength, skill' ]
1 . ( plural crafts ) [countable] a job or activity in which you make things with your hands, and that you usually need skill to do ⇨ handicraft :
traditional rural crafts
arts and crafts
2 . ( plural craft ) [countable]
a) a small boat
b) an aircraft or spacecraft
3 . [singular] formal the skills needed for a particular profession:
The musician spends years perfecting his craft.
4 . [uncountable] skill in deceiving people:
Craft and cunning were necessary for the scheme to work.
⇨ ↑ landing craft
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a traditional/ancient craft
The Navajo Indians sell their jewellery and other traditional crafts.
▪ a local craft
local crafts such as glass blowing and leather work
▪ a rural/country craft (=done in the countryside)
The museum contains exhibits of old rural crafts.
▪ a skilled craft
Building stone walls is a highly skilled craft.
■ verbs
▪ learn a craft
As a girl, she had to learn the craft of hand sewing.
▪ practise a craft British English , practice a craft American English
The craftsmen use traditional tools to practise their ancient crafts.
■ craft + NOUN
▪ a craft shop (=selling things made by craftsmen or women)
▪ craft work (=things made by craftsmen or women)
Craft work, such as hand-knitted items or decorated cakes, often sells well.
▪ a craft workshop (=place where a craftsman or woman works)
▪ a craft fair (=event where people buy and sell crafts)
▪ a craft centre British English , a craft center American English (=building where you can see different crafts and buy things)
■ phrases
▪ arts and crafts (=things produced by artists and craftsmen or women)
an exhibition of Indian arts and crafts
II. craft 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive usually passive]
to make something using a special skill, especially with your hands:
Each doll is crafted individually by specialists.
a hand-crafted silver cigar case
III. hand ‧ i ‧ craft /ˈhændikrɑːft $ -kræft/ BrE AmE ( also craft ) noun [countable usually plural]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: handcraft 'handicraft' (10-21 centuries) , on the model of handiwork ]
1 . an activity such as sewing or making baskets, in which you use your hands in a skilful way to make things
2 . something that someone has made in a skilful way using their hands:
a shop selling handicrafts