handmade

American  

[hand-meyd] / ˈhændˈmeɪd /

adjective

1. made by hand, rather than by machine.

   the luxury of handmade shoes.

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handmade British  

/ ˌhændˈmeɪd /

adjective

1. made by hand, not by machine, esp with care or craftsmanship

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Etymology

Origin of handmade

First recorded in 1605–15; hand + made

Explanation

Something that's handmade wasn't made by a machine, but formed, built, or constructed by an actual person. A handmade sweater from your grandma is one she knit herself. Handmade items can look awkward and inexpertly constructed, but just as often they're more beautiful and special than their machine-made counterparts. Handmade pottery is unique, each bowl or mug looking slightly different since they're made and glazed individually, by hand. A handmade birthday card from a young relative is charming in a way its Hallmark equivalent could never be. Handmade comes from the sense of "made by hand."

Example Sentences

The Kerns are doubling down on the company’s handmade products—and the crafts workers behind them—at an especially challenging moment for luxury retailers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

But where the building has an identity, becomes visible, it’s almost all handmade.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The trust added that more than 7,000 handmade bricks had been used to stabilise the ruins so far.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Glinting under the exhibition centre lights, the gold brooch studded with gemstones on the startup founder's lapel was handmade by Indian artisans -- but artificial intelligence dreamt up its elaborate design.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

“Nothing says you care like a handmade gift.”

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• homemade