penmanship

noun

pen·​man·​ship ˈpen-mən-ˌship 

1

: the art or practice of writing with the pen

2

: quality or style of handwriting

Synonyms of penmanship

• handwriting

Examples of penmanship in a Sentence

My third grade teacher thought it was important for us to learn penmanship.

doctors are famous for their illegible penmanship

Recent Examples on the Web

The messages, scribbled on whatever scrap of paper a sender could find, often featured misspellings and shaky penmanship; many older residents of rural areas did not know how to read or write well, if at all. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Some handwriting experts wondered whether a lack of panache in penmanship was generational. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Concerns over child development, too much access In the survey, parents expressed concerns for the development of their children’s fine motor skills and penmanship, while others focused on worries regarding access to AI and apps like YouTube. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

In the first half of the 20th century, penmanship was often taught as a distinct subject in American elementary schools, where children could spend as much as 45 minutes a day on handwriting instruction and practice. — Mary Jean Tecce Decarlo, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for penmanship

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

penmanship

noun

pen·​man·​ship -mən-ˌship 

1

: the art or practice of writing with the pen

2

: quality or style of handwriting