Crafty Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🎨

Add to dictionary

crafty

[ˈkrɑːfti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing someone's behavior

Clever at achieving one's aims by deceit or evasion.

Synonyms

cunning, devious, shrewd, sly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crafty	When someone uses clever and sometimes deceptive methods to achieve their goals, often in a negative sense. The crafty fox found a way to get into the henhouse He is known for his crafty business deals that always seem to benefit him the most
sly	Typically describes someone who is clever in a deceitful or secretive way, carrying a negative connotation. With a sly grin, he slipped the money into his pocket without anyone noticing She gave him a sly look that suggested she knew more than she was letting on
devious	Used to describe actions or behaviors that are deceptive and sneaky, often with the intention to mislead or avoid the truth, carrying a strong negative connotation. The politician's devious tactics were exposed by the investigative journalist He took a devious route through the forest to avoid being seen
shrewd	Refers to someone who is astute, sharp, and able to make good judgments, especially in business or politics, generally a positive trait. She made a shrewd investment that doubled her money in a year The shrewd lawyer was able to find a loophole in the contract
cunning	Describes someone who uses intelligence and skill to achieve their ends, often through deception or trickery, usually carrying a negative connotation. The cunning thief managed to steal the diamond without being caught Her cunning plan to take over the company involved manipulating several key players

Examples of usage

She was crafty enough to fool me with her lies.
The crafty fox outsmarted the hunters by leading them into a trap.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

describing an object or design

Skillful in using one's hands or creating things; cleverly made or designed.

Synonyms

artful, ingenious, resourceful, skilled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crafty	Use when describing someone who is clever in a deceptive or underhanded way. Often has a negative connotation. The crafty fox managed to steal the farmer's chickens without getting caught. She came up with a crafty plan to win the game.
ingenious	Use to describe someone who is particularly clever, original, and inventive. The scientist's ingenious solution solved the decades-old problem. Her ingenious idea revolutionized the way we store data.
artful	Use when someone is skillfully cunning, particularly in achieving their aims by indirect means. Can imply cleverness in a slightly deceptive way. His artful negotiation skills saved the company a lot of money. She gave an artful performance that impressed the judges.
resourceful	Use when describing someone who can handle difficult situations effectively and find quick and clever ways to overcome challenges. Lost in the woods, he proved to be incredibly resourceful, finding food and shelter. She is very resourceful and always finds a way to get things done.
skilled	Use to describe someone who has special abilities or training in a particular area. He is a skilled carpenter who can build anything from scratch. The skilled nurse quickly addressed the patient's needs.

Examples of usage

The crafty design of the puzzle impressed everyone.
The artist's crafty use of colors made the painting come alive.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

In classic tales like 'The Tortoise and the Hare', the tortoise uses crafty strategies to win the race against the boastful hare.
Many trickster characters in folklore are described as crafty, using their intelligence to outsmart others for fun or moral lessons.
Shakespeare often employed crafty characters, showing how cleverness can lead to success or, sometimes, downfall.

Psychology

Craftiness can be associated with higher levels of intelligence, as it often requires sharp problem-solving skills.
People who are crafty may excel in social situations by reading others well and adapting their strategies accordingly.
The capacity for crafty behavior in negotiation can lead to better outcomes and is often linked with emotional intelligence.

Pop Culture

Crafty characters, like those seen in animated films, often teach kids the value of being resourceful and thinking outside the box.
Crafty individuals in television shows frequently manage to escape tricky situations, highlighting how cleverness can lead to adventure.
In reality TV, contestants often showcase their crafty nature to gain advantages, proving that strategy is as important as skill.

Origin of 'crafty'

Main points about word origin

The word 'crafty' comes from the Old English word 'craeft', which meant strength or skill.
Over time, it evolved to mean a person who uses skillful tactics to achieve their goals.
In literature, 'crafty' often describes someone who uses their wits to solve problems or escape tricky situations.

The word 'crafty' originated from the Middle English word 'crafti', which meant clever, skilful. Over time, the meaning of 'crafty' has evolved to encompass both cunning behavior and skillful craftsmanship. The term is often used in a negative context to describe someone who is deceitful or in a positive context to praise someone's creativity and ingenuity.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,326, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18323 erudition
18324 materialist
18325 disrupting
18326 crafty
18327 socialized
18328 gully
18329 toddler
...