handiwork

noun

hand·​i·​work ˈhan-di-ˌwərk 

-dē-

1

a

: work done by the hands

b

: work done personally

recognized her handiwork

2

: the product of handiwork

Synonyms

• affair
• fruit
• labor
• output
• produce
• product
• production
• thing
• work
• yield

Examples of handiwork in a Sentence

They admired the potter's beautiful handiwork.

I think all of these problems are her handiwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

Reynolds had in turn killed Ernesto and now is hunting George Bowlegs, after the kids stumbled across his handiwork late one night. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025

And thousands of years later, still others would leave behind more traces of their lives and handiwork. —ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025

The power of ritual Tan, of Case Western Reserve, said the conclave’s shift from its Eurocentric foundations and focus is largely the handiwork of Francis himself, who appointed 108 of the 135 electors who will elect his successor. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

The dress is the brilliant handiwork of Armani Privé (and sadly not in my closet!). —Jordan Greene, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English handiwerk, from Old English handgeweorc, from hand + geweorc, from ge- (collective prefix) + weorc work — more at co-

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for handiwork

• bodywork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork
• beadwork

Kids Definition

handiwork

noun

hand·​i·​work ˈhan-di-ˌwərk 

: work done by the hands or by oneself