Meaning & use
crafting
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“crafting” is a form of “craft”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountable
the activity of making things skillfully by hand, often as a hobby
Grammar: Uncountable when it means the activity in general; can be countable when it means a particular item made by hand.
Patterns
- do crafting
- a crafting project
She spends her weekends doing crafting with her children.
The store sells supplies for crafting and sewing.
Crafting can be a relaxing way to switch off from work.
noununcountablebusiness
the careful creation or development of something, such as a plan, message, or policy
Grammar: Often used before another noun: crafting process, crafting strategy.
Patterns
- the crafting of something
- crafting a strategy
The crafting of the new policy took several months.
Good marketing involves the careful crafting of a clear message.
Her book describes the crafting of a successful business plan.
verbtransitive
present participle of craft: making something with skill or care
Grammar: Used after be or another verb to form continuous tenses: She is crafting a response.
Patterns
- be crafting something
- crafting a plan
He is crafting a wooden bowl in his workshop.
The team is crafting a detailed proposal for the client.
Common combinations
- crafting a message
- The spokesperson is crafting a message that will reassure customers.
- crafting a strategy
- They spent the afternoon crafting a strategy for the new market.
- crafting skills
- Children develop crafting skills by working with paper and glue.
- the crafting of policy
- The crafting of policy requires input from many departments.
- crafting supplies
- We bought crafting supplies for the school project.
Synonyms and how they differ
- making
- More general and can refer to producing anything, while 'crafting' suggests skill and care.
- creating
- Focuses on bringing something new into existence; 'crafting' emphasizes careful workmanship.
- handicraft
- A countable noun for a particular handmade object or the activity, often traditional.
Word family
Commonly confused: crafting or crafting vs. crafting?
crafting vs crafting vs. crafting
No common confusion, but note that 'crafting' is not the same as 'crafting' in a business context.
Practice
What does 'crafting' most likely mean in the sentence: 'The team is crafting a new marketing plan'?
Choose one answer.
In a business context, 'crafting' means carefully creating or developing something like a plan. It does not refer to handmade crafts or repair.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “crafting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.