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

The handbook currently treats it as a subset of other mental health conditions that can occur within weeks after giving birth. — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

As Ronald Araujo discovered recently when the Uruguay international defender’s move from Barcelona managed to tick pretty much every box in the modern transfer-reaction handbook. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The handbook also allegedly directed sales agents to offer up phony descriptions of how the fees worked. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

The great Florentine philosopher didn’t simply create a how-to-rule handbook. — Michael Anton, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

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
• logbook
• mistook

Kids Definition

handbook

noun

hand·​book -ˌbu̇k 

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