handiwork

American  

[han-dee-wurk] / ˈhæn diˌwɜrk /

noun

1. work done by hand.

2. the characteristic quality of a particular doer or maker.

   In all of Mozart's music we discover the handiwork of a genius.

3. the result of work done by hand.

   woven mats and other handiwork.

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handiwork British  

/ ˈhændɪˌwɜːk /

noun

1. work performed or produced by hand, such as embroidery or pottery

2. the result of the action or endeavours of a person or thing

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Etymology

Origin of handiwork

before 1000; Middle English handiwerk, Old English handgeweorc, variant of handweorc (cognate with German Handwerk ). See hand, y-, work

Explanation

Handiwork is something that you've done, achieved, or made, especially with your own two hands. When you hold up a pair of mittens you just finished knitting, you're admiring your handiwork. You can use the noun handiwork for the result of hard work, like a tidy, weeded and mulched garden or a handmade birdhouse. You can also look at something less positive, like a messy living room scattered with books that have been pulled from the shelves, and say to your two year-old cousin, "Is this your handiwork?" This word comes from the Old English handgeweorc, from hand and geweorc, "work."

Example Sentences

Wainwright has previously displayed his handiwork at events for charity, and discovered that blind people have loved to feel the large items next to the normal sized ones.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The list is the handiwork of his daughter, Kazuko, who also contributes several lovely concluding pieces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Saadani holds the notes up to the light, studying the damage and examining her handiwork.

From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025

It suddenly started to rain, so Garcia Venegas quickly grabbed some plastic to cover his handiwork, but he never got the chance to use it.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2025

She spun me around to inspect her handiwork.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

Related Words

• workmanship