handwork

noun

hand·​work ˈhand-ˌwərk 

: work done with the hands and not by machines : handiwork

handworker

ˈhand-ˌwər-kər 

noun

Examples of handwork in a Sentence

She wore a beaded dress that required many hours of handwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pieces are special and each one has a lot of hours, details and handwork. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Several garments might be layered and intertwined into a new body, then bound together by intricate handwork, with threads, beads, stones, and other fragments added like archaeological deposits. — Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

The combination of handwork and machinery has since become central to Chau’s artistic practice, which is simultaneously traditional and contemporary. — Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Bring lunch and a portable, non-messy handwork project — knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, quilting, felting, and more — for an informal gathering of makers. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for handwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

handwork

noun

hand·​work ˈhan-ˌdwərk 

: work done with the hands and not by machine