handwriting

noun

hand·​writ·​ing ˈhand-ˌrī-tiŋ 

1

: writing done by hand

especially : the form of writing peculiar to a particular person

2

: something written by hand

see also:

handwriting on the wall

Synonyms of handwriting

• scribble
• hand
• script
• penmanship
• signature
• print
• autograph

Examples of handwriting in a Sentence

Her handwriting is nearly impossible to read.

she immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelope as that of her old college roommate

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers demonstrated the concept using signals whose characteristics changed over time, including handwriting and object movement at different speeds. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026

The commission held a hearing last week to weigh the claims in Gilnack’s objection, hearing testimony from a forensic document examiner and a handwriting expert. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Apple’s Scribble feature (which converts handwriting to text) works seamlessly with Procreate. — Shelby Putnam Tupper, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

My grandma developed beautiful handwriting as a right-hander. — Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handwriting

• handwriting on the wall
• see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
• the writing/handwriting is on the wall

Rhymes for handwriting

• alighting
• backbiting
• bullfighting
• daylighting
• delighting
• exciting
• firefighting
• highlighting
• igniting
• inciting
• indicting
• infighting

Kids Definition

handwriting

noun

hand·​writ·​ing ˈhan-ˌdrīt-iŋ 

1

: writing done by hand

2

: the form of a particular person's writing

3

: something written by hand