ENGLISH
REFERENCE

handmade

adj. · n.
US //ˈhænˈmeɪd// UK //hˈændmeɪd// hand·made
  1. 1 made by hand (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    made by a person using their hands or tools, not by a machine.

    manufactured manually rather than by industrial or automated processes.

    Example

    She bought a beautiful handmade sweater at the local craft market.

    Example

    The artisan specializes in handmade leather goods, ensuring that every stitch is placed with a precision that machines cannot replicate.

    Usage

    Typically used before a noun to emphasize quality or uniqueness.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse this with 'handy'; remind them that 'handmade' refers to the production process, while 'handy' refers to usefulness.
  2. 2 a handcrafted object (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    an object or piece of art that someone has made by hand.

    an individual item or craft piece produced through manual skill.

    Example

    The shop was filled with unique handmades, from pottery to woven baskets.

    Example

    The gallery exhibition focused exclusively on handmades from the region, highlighting the intersection of traditional utility and modern aesthetic.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural to refer to a collection of artisanal goods.

    Teacher's tip

    The noun use is much rarer than the adjective; students should focus on the adjective form for general communication.
Origin

From hand + made.

Word family

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