handicraft

noun

hand·​i·​craft ˈhan-di-ˌkraft How to pronounce handicraft (audio)
-dē-
plural handicrafts
1
a
: manual labor or skill
… firing the … products of his handicraft in a diminutive bee-hive kiln …William Laurel Harris
b
: an occupation requiring skill with the hands
… the highly skilled artisans who specialize in handicrafts like embroidery, beading and appliqué …Elizabeth Paton
2
: the articles fashioned by those engaged in handicraft
usually used in plural
Woven baskets and other handicrafts were on display.
often used before another noun
handicraft products/shops
a handicraft exhibition
handicrafter noun
plural handicrafters

Examples of handicraft in a Sentence

Her favorite handicraft is sewing. volunteers demonstrating early American handicrafts, such as blacksmithing, glassblowing, and weaving
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Separately, in February, UNESCO and India’s Ministry of Textiles showcased India’s handloom and handicraft industries to highlight their potential for transformation at the New Delhi textile fair. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025 Her classmate, Jatta Berggren, also came to the school by way of a previous career — as an entrepreneur in the yarn and handicraft industries. Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025 The theme of Joe Deeney’s crossword celebrates yet another area of expertise: handicraft. Sam Corbin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Enjoy the exhibits: This year, they’re divided into culinary arts, hobbies and handicrafts, horticulture, livestock, table settings, visual arts, wine and woodworking. Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for handicraft

Word History

Etymology

Middle English handi-crafte, alteration of handcraft

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of handicraft was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handicraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handicraft. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

handicraft

noun
hand·​i·​craft ˈhan-di-ˌkraft How to pronounce handicraft (audio)
1
: an occupation (as weaving or pottery making) requiring skill with the hands
2
: articles made by one working at a handicraft
handicrafter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on handicraft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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