handbook

noun

hand·​book ˈhan(d)-ˌbu̇k 

1

a

: a book capable of being conveniently carried as a ready reference : manual

b

: a concise reference book covering a particular subject

2

a

: a bookmaker's book of bets

b

: a place where bookmaking is carried on

Synonyms of handbook

• manual
• textbook
• text
• dictionary

Examples of handbook in a Sentence

a handbook of grammar

Recent Examples on the Web

Lindsay Lohan is taking notes from the Millennial It girl handbook for her latest manicure appointment. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

The two employees were given a five-day suspension when an employee handbook calls for a 30-day suspension. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026

From a handbook distributed by the International Association of Exorcists, a group of more than two hundred Catholic priests that trains exorcists and raises awareness about demonic possession. —Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Although there isn’t a handbook on how to have great rizz, being confident, funny and one’s self is usually the way to go. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for handbook

• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook
• chinook
• codebook
• cookbook
• fishhook
• forsook
• guidebook
• hornbook
• logbook

Kids Definition

handbook

noun

hand·​book -ˌbu̇k 

: a small book of facts or useful information usually about a particular subject : manual