# handwriting

/ˈhænˌdɹaɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈændɹaɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. personal writing style

noun · CEFR A2

the particular way you write with a pen or pencil that makes your writing look different from others.

For teachers: the characteristic style of penmanship unique to an individual. Uncountable in most contexts.

- His handwriting is so messy that I can't read the address on the envelope.
- The forensic expert compared the handwriting on the ransom note with the suspect's personal journals to identify matching flourishes in the cursive.

### 2. handwritten text

noun · CEFR B1

writing that has been done by hand rather than printed or typed.

For teachers: text produced manually with a writing implement. Often used to distinguish from digital or mechanical print.

- The old diary was filled with beautiful handwriting from the nineteenth century.
- The archive contains several boxes of original handwriting, including letters and rough drafts that were never published in print.

## Examples

- His handwriting is very difficult to read.
- The teacher asked the students to practice their handwriting every day to improve their legibility.
- Forensic experts analyzed the handwriting on the ransom note to determine if it matched the suspect's previous correspondence.

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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.