# handmade

/ˈhænˈmeɪd/ (US) · /hˈændmeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handmade
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. made by hand

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: manufactured manually rather than by industrial or automated processes.

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

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'handy'; remind them that 'handmade' refers to the production process, while 'handy' refers to usefulness.

### 2. a handcrafted object

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: an individual item or craft piece produced through manual skill.

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

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

## Examples

- She sells beautiful handmade jewelry at the local market.
- The boutique specializes in handmade leather boots that are designed to last for decades.
- While mass-produced furniture offers convenience and low cost, many collectors prefer the subtle imperfections and structural integrity found in handmade wooden cabinets.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.