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

• production
• product
• 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

Going further back, the spine of Emery’s side is the handiwork of the manager before Gerrard, Dean Smith, who recruited a core of Emiliano Martinez, Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins — all four started against Brentford. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

The siblings were both unaware that workers from the insurance company would be doing some handiwork as they weren't told. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

The ripple effects of their underground handiwork help boost biodiversity in a big way. —Discover Magazine, 21 May 2025

Another sample of the Senate Republicans’ handiwork: Nameless bureaucrats and the legacy media are teaming up to stop Secretary Hegseth. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 1 May 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