handbook

noun

hand·​book ˈhan(d)-ˌbu̇k 

1

a

: a book capable of being conveniently carried as a ready reference : manual

b

: a concise reference book covering a particular subject

2

a

: a bookmaker's book of bets

b

: a place where bookmaking is carried on

Synonyms

• manual
• primer
• text
• textbook

Examples of handbook in a Sentence

a handbook of grammar

Recent Examples on the Web

Last July, Driver opened up to PEOPLE about her relationship with Henry, saying that there is really no handbook for how to parent. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The church’s stance continues to evolve and in 2020, the church updated its handbook to explicitly allow vaping of medical marijuana when authorized by a medical provider. —Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025

On a systemic level, this means incorporating training and resources into staff orientations, handbooks, and ongoing education to raise awareness of the biases that undermine these leaders. —Aparna Rae, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

There’s no handbook on how to be the perfect man or perfect husband. —Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for handbook

• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook
• chinook
• codebook
• cookbook
• fishhook
• forsook
• guidebook
• hornbook
• logbook

Kids Definition

handbook

noun

hand·​book -ˌbu̇k 

: a small book of facts or useful information usually about a particular subject : manual