Crafty
/ˈkræfti/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Crafty means being smart and skilled in planning or doing things, especially when using clever or sometimes sneaky methods. It often suggests a person can solve problems or get what they want by being clever, but sometimes in a way that is not fully honest or open.
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See It in Action
Being clever and skillful, especially in planning or doing something
- •She was crafty in finding a way to finish the work early.
- •The crafty student found a smart method to solve the difficult math problem.
- •He is crafty at fixing old machines with simple tools.
Using clever but sometimes sneaky or dishonest methods
- •The crafty thief escaped without being caught.
- •That was a crafty plan to trick the other team.
- •She used crafty words to convince him to agree.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crafty" like "smart," but with a little secret or trick to it—someone who knows clever ways to get things done.
- ✓Picture a fox quietly moving through a forest, carefully avoiding traps and finding food using smart tricks.
- ✓It's the feeling when you find a clever way to solve a problem or surprise someone with a smart idea.
- ✓Sounds like "CRAFT-ee" → imagine someone crafting (making) clever plans like an artist making a special object.
- ✓Think of the story of the "Crafty Fox" in many fairy tales who uses tricks to outsmart others.
- ✓NOT like "honest" (open and truthful), crafty people sometimes hide their true plans or use sneaky methods.
- ✓NOT like "stupid" (not smart), crafty means smart but sometimes in a secret or tricky way.
- ✓NOT like "simple" (easy or plain), crafty involves skill and cleverness to do something complicated or tricky.
Try Other Words
- •Sly: sneaky and clever in a secret way (Use when the trick is more about hiding and being secret)
- •Wily: skilled at using tricks to get what you want (Use when the cleverness is about avoiding problems or catching others off guard)
- •Shrewd: having good judgment and being smart in practical matters (Use when the cleverness is about making good decisions rather than tricking)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; "craft" (skill, making things) + "-y" (adjective ending meaning "full of" or "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From Old English "cræft" meaning skill or strength, combined with "-y" to describe someone full of skill or cleverness
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe skillfulness, especially in making or doing things; later took on meaning of cleverness with trickiness
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people or plans that are smart but sometimes a little sneaky or tricky
Reflect & Connect
•Can being crafty be a good thing, or is it always negative? When might it help or hurt?
•How do you feel when someone is crafty with you? Does it depend on the situation?
Fill in the blanks
1.The crafty plan worked because it used ___ thinking to avoid the obvious problems.
2.She was crafty enough to ___ the rules without breaking them.
3.Unlike honest people, crafty individuals often ___ their true intentions.
4.The fox is often called crafty because it can ___ traps and catch food cleverly.
5.People who are crafty usually have ___ ideas and unexpected solutions.
6.He spoke in a crafty way, trying to ___ others to agree with him.
7.When someone is crafty, they often act ___ to reach their goals.