hands-on
Americanadjective
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characterized by or involved in active personal participation in an activity; individual and direct.
a workshop to give children hands-on experience with computers.
-
requiring manual operation, control, adjustment, or the like; not automatic or computerized.
the old hands-on telephone switchboards.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of hands-on
First recorded in 1905–10; by analogy with hands-off
Explanation
Something that's hands-on requires direct interaction or participation. If you have hands-on coffee shop experience, it means you've actually made lattes and served scones with your own two hands. When you take a hands-on sewing class, you'll actually cut and pin and sew fabric, and if a high school principal has a hands-on role, she might teach a class each semester. If it's a hands-on chemistry class, students will have the opportunity to mix chemicals and do experiments. Hands-on is a relatively new adjective, coined around 1969.
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.
Some observers say he's been more strident in pushing for UN reform, and believes the UN secretary-general should take a more hands-on approach.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
For Amy, the South Africa internship was more than just a once in a lifetime trip - but a chance to get hands-on experience in her dream job.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
His bias toward hands-on labor is welcome but indiscriminate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
Grassroots coalitions have pushed for limits in California and nationwide as parents have become alarmed over how digital activities are replacing hands-on learning and peer interaction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
But despite the fact that we held the same rank, Manet had more hands-on experience in the Fishery than any dozen higher-ranking students combined.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
