handiwork
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
work done by hand rather than by a machine, often showing great skill.
work performed by the hands; the physical manifestation of manual skill or craftsmanship.
Simple“The intricate carvings on the wooden chest were clearly the handiwork of a master.”
In context“The museum curator pointed out the delicate handiwork on the eighteenth-century lace, noting that such precision is impossible for modern machines to replicate.”
Synonymscraftsmanshiphandicraft - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the result of someone's personal efforts or actions, whether good or bad.
the result of an individual's personal influence or intervention, often used to attribute responsibility for a specific outcome.
Simple“Looking at the messy room, she knew this was the handiwork of her toddler.”
In context“The detective surveyed the crime scene, convinced that the professional nature of the theft was the handiwork of a known international syndicate.”
Synonyms
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.