crafty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'crafty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'crafty' to describe someone who plans and plots cleverly to achieve a goal. For example: "He was crafty in the way he managed to talk himself out of getting in trouble with the teacher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With guitars, pianos and the odd horn, the tunes are gloriously breezy, heartfelt affairs but pack a crafty left hook in a velvet glove.

The Guardian - Music

This was a crafty presentation of an autumn statement.

The Guardian - Opinion

The North has dismissed a proposal of dialogue from the South as a "crafty trick".

The Guardian

It's all about having fun with food when there's time, and being crafty when there is not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maradona himself had been fouled 48 times but was never going to get any sympathy because people remembered his crafty handball against the Soviet Union in Naples and had grown weary of the agonising, the grimaces and the constant appeals to the Deity.

The Guardian - Sport

In the modern era, the "plastination" of Gunther von Hagens, which makes of human corpses crafty if not arty objects, has attracted great notoriety.

The Guardian - Arts

In the salad days of infatuation the high levels of dopamine (the pleasure-seeking hormone) combined with the low levels of serotonin (that helps us to feel calm and relaxed) combine to create a crafty reward system that is nearly indistinguishable from all other forms of addiction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The North rebuffed Seoul's proposal of talks as a "crafty trick" on Sunday.

The Guardian

If you are after something a little more creative and crafty, scrutinise the keg beers which, this time around included Redwell's white IPA, Black Isle's organic porter, Lagunitas IPA and rare appearances (if you come from Manchester, at least) for both Signature Brew's 8.3% Black Tongue (its collaboration with bone-crunching metal band Mastodon) and Yeastie Boys' Minimatta from New Zealand.

The Guardian - Travel

Follow our crafty tricks to give your Eastertide lessons a lift: What you need: 2 sheets of white A4 card 1 pink piece of card Glue stick Stapler Clear tape Scissors Black pen First make the headband by cutting two strips (2.5 inches wide) from the A4 white card.

The Guardian

As well as a small range of bottles, the Kingston's dedicated "crafty keg" line serves beers from such breweries as Firebrand and Fyne & Wild.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "crafty", consider the ethical implications. While cleverness is often positive, "crafty" can sometimes imply dishonesty or manipulation.

Common error

While "crafty" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound informal or even negative in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "resourceful" or "skilful" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The word "crafty" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe someone or something exhibiting skill in deception or cleverness in achieving a goal. As Ludwig's examples show, it often characterizes behaviors or strategies that are subtly manipulative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "crafty" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is clever and skillful, often in a deceptive way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The word appears frequently in news and media, lifestyle, and sports contexts. While "crafty" can imply admiration for ingenuity, it often carries a slight negative connotation of manipulation. For alternative words, you can use "cunning", "wily", or "shrewd" depending on the specific context. When writing, be mindful of the potential negative connotations and consider your audience when choosing to use the word "crafty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cunning

Emphasizes skill in deception and trickery.

wily

Highlights resourcefulness and deceptiveness in achieving goals.

sly

Suggests a subtle and secretive form of cleverness.

shrewd

Focuses on intelligence and good judgment, often in practical matters.

ingenious

Highlights inventive and clever solutions.

deceptive

Directly points to the act of misleading or deceiving.

artful

Suggests skill and cleverness, often in a refined or elegant way.

scheming

Implies the creation of secret and underhanded plans.

guileful

Highlights the use of deceitful cunning.

sharp-witted

Focuses on quick intelligence and cleverness in thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "crafty" in a sentence?

You can use "crafty" to describe someone who is skilled at deceiving others or uses clever methods to achieve their goals. For instance, "The politician was known for his crafty tactics".

What's the difference between "crafty" and "cunning"?

While both words imply cleverness, "crafty" often suggests a practical skill or inventiveness, whereas "cunning" emphasizes deception and a manipulative nature.

Are there situations where using "crafty" might be inappropriate?

Yes, because "crafty" can have negative connotations, it might be unsuitable when describing someone you admire or in situations requiring formal language. Instead, consider using words like "resourceful" or "clever".

What are some alternatives to using the word "crafty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "ingenious", "shrewd", "wily", or "sly". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.