ENGLISH
REFERENCE

handiwork

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhændiˌwɝk// UK //hˈændɪwˌɜːk// hand·i·work

n. the work or products made by a person's hands. It often refers to things made with skill and care, like crafts or art.

n. the work or products of a person's hands, typically implying skill or craftsmanship. Often used to describe the result of manual labor or creative effort.


SIMPLE

The children showed off their handiwork at the school fair.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum displayed the intricate handiwork of local artisans, including hand-woven textiles and carved wood furniture.

COMPLEX

While the architect designed the building, the true beauty of the structure lies in the meticulous handiwork of the masons who shaped every stone by hand.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English hondywerk, handiwerc, from Old English handġeweorc (“work done by hand, creation”), from hand (“hand”) + ġeweorc (“work”). Equivalent to hand + work, though it may now be reinterpreted as handy (“skilful”) + work. Compare Saterland Frisian Hondwierk, Dutch handwerk, German Handwerk.

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