English Meaning & Definitions
Clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.
- “The crafty salesman convinced me to buy a car I didn't actually need.”
- “She devised a crafty plan to escape the room without being noticed by the guards.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “crafty”.
Derived from the Old English 'cræftig', meaning 'strong, powerful, or skillful'. Originally, it denoted someone possessing 'craft' or skill in a trade. Over time, the meaning shifted from general skillfulness to a more specific, often negative connotation of using that skill for deceit or cunning manipulation.
Think of a 'crafty' fox who uses his 'craft' (skill) to trick others.
Frequently Asked Questions About “crafty”
1. What is the meaning of “crafty” in English?
In English, crafty (adjective) is defined as: “Clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.”.
2. How do you use “crafty” in a sentence?
“The crafty salesman convinced me to buy a car I didn't actually need.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “crafty”?
Derived from the Old English 'cræftig', meaning 'strong, powerful, or skillful'. Originally, it denoted someone possessing 'craft' or skill in a trade. Over time, the meaning shifted from general skillfulness to a more specific, often negative connotation of using that skill for deceit or cunning manipulation.
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