manually
Americanadverb
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by hand or using one’s hands.
The power source must include a manually operated switch device or circuit breaker.
Even the entry-level model comes with dual-zone climate control, manually adjustable front seats, and Bluetooth connectivity.
-
using or requiring human effort, input, skill, power, etc..
Data extraction was originally done manually, requiring significant resources to complete the tedious task.
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of manually
Explanation
Something that's done manually is done by hand, rather than by machine. If the recycling you leave by the curb is sorted manually, people divide it by hand into metal, plastic, glass, and paper. When you dig a hole manually, you use a shovel and the strength of your own arms and back. The opposite of this is when something's done automatically, by machine or some automated system. The adverb manually comes from the adjective manual, or "done with the hands," from the Latin root word manus, which means "hand, strength, or power over."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Manually finding and labeling the boundaries of cells from their background is extremely difficult, however, especially in tissue samples where there are many cells in an image.
From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2024
Manually comparing originals with the PDFs, Myers’ team found more than 100 revisions in some documents.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024
Look for the drop-down menu at the right of Adjust active hours and select either Manually or Automatically.
From The Verge • Apr. 16, 2022
Manually grinding spices, herbs, aromatics: That was her ritual.
From New York Times • Oct. 22, 2021
Manually reviewing every tweet is not possible, Twitter argues, due to the micro-blogging site's global reach, but it insists users are required to abide by a code of conduct.
From BBC • Jul. 30, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
