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

In an era when many kids her age are chasing likes and followers, one 12-year-old is winning the internet’s heart the old-fashioned way — with scissors, glue and her own handwriting. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026

Kenerson's after-school club is a local example of a nationwide trend — cursive handwriting is back in many classrooms across the country. —Ava Berger, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026

Imagine having to read the handwriting of young people so used to typing on devices. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Brain-computer interfaces have been shown to help patients communicate, often by tracking their eye movement or by decoding brain activity associated with speech or handwriting. —O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Mar. 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