crafty

Everyday

1. Crafty means clever at getting what you want by tricks and secret plans; sly. tree →
2. (informal) Crafty can mean liking or good at making crafts by hand. tree →

In the lessons

In fables and stories, the fox is crafty: it tricks the crow into dropping her cheese. In The Wind in the Willows the weasels and stoats are crafty, and Toad makes crafty escapes. In the Just So Stories animals use crafty tricks. «A crafty look» suggests someone is planning something.

Examples

• The crafty fox tricked the crow. tree →
• He gave a crafty smile. tree →
• Toad made a crafty plan to escape. tree →
• The crafty weasels took over Toad Hall. tree →
• That was a crafty way to win the game! tree →
• Gran is very crafty — she knits and sews everything. tree →
• So, with a crafty and evil smile upon his face, he spoke as follows: tree →

Note

Comparative: craftier, craftiest. Adverb: craftily. Similar: cunning, sly, wily, artful.

In Jewish tradition

It means sly and deceitful. Job speaks of the "tongue of the crafty," and the Psalm of enemies plotting against God's people.

Interpretation. Slyness is seen as a misuse of the gift of speech. Guarding the tongue is a central Jewish teaching.

Examples

• Cannot my taste discern crafty devices? (Writings JOB.6.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. (Writings JOB.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• They hold crafty converse against Thy people, and take counsel against Thy treasured ones. (Writings PSA.83.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Comparative: craftier, craftiest. Adverb: craftily. Similar: cunning, sly, wily, artful.