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handwriting

handwriting

141 1.4
The way a person writes letters and words by hand
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌraɪtɪŋ/
translation icon : escritura
  • His handwriting is so neat that it looks like it was printed.
  • handwriting and spelling
  • handwriting skills
  • handwriting problems

I struggle to write, but my handwriting is, is gorgeous.

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Examples

  • I'm sorry, I can't read my own handwriting.

  • May I ask, is this your handwriting, sir?

  • Like what is my handwriting style with this writing system?

  • So you do have to have OK handwriting, of which I do not.

  • We have students now I understand who cannot read handwriting at all.

  • Though I really want to believe that handwriting is good for the brain.

  • But I could always tell his handwriting.

  • In an age of accelerating growth in technology, handwriting still plays an important part in written expression.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Teachers may informally observe that a student has difficulty with handwriting during writing activities.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Students with learning disabilities may show persistent problems with handwriting, specifically in letter formation, alphabetic knowledge, and handwriting speed.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

hand
vshandwriting
93 8.1

The way a person forms letters when they write

is the overall written product, not only the personal manner of forming letters
script
vshandwriting
18 4.6

Handwriting that shows a person's style of writing

is the general act and result of producing written characters, not only style
penmanship
vshandwriting
15 5.3

The skill of writing by hand clearly and neatly

is the general written output rather than the special skill in forming letters
cursive
vshandwriting
9 4.3

A style of writing in which letters are joined and flow together

is the overall written product that may include slower or separate letters
longhand
vshandwriting
6 4.6

Writing by hand with letters written fully, often joined together

is the broad category of written marks that includes many styles
printing
vshandwriting
5 1.1

Handwriting with separate letters instead of joined cursive

is the general category of written marks that also includes joined letters
chicken scratch
vshandwriting
  • Informal
3 8.4

Messy handwriting that is hard to read

is the general written form which can be neat, plain, or messy
italic
vshandwriting
1 4.3

A style of handwriting with letters that slant to the right to make words stand out

is the general written form not restricted to slanted or emphasized letters
cursive script
vshandwriting
1 4.4

Handwriting in which letters join together in a smooth, flowing way

is the general written form that also covers noncontinuous or lifted writing
chirography
vshandwriting
  • Archaic
9.9

A person's neat, beautiful way of writing by hand

is the plain act of making written marks, not focused on art
running hand
vshandwriting
8.8

A quick way of writing where letters in a word stay joined without lifting the pen

is the general written product which may be slower or less continuous

Compounds

handwriting expert
  • Specialized
3 5.0

A person who studies writing by hand to check if a signature or document is real

Thin, light writing with long, uneven lines like spider legs

How Neat

calligraphy
17 7.1
penmanship
15 5.3
handwriting
141 1.4
scrawl
6 5.7
scribble
5 3.5

Surface Forms

handwriting singular
handwritings plural

Morphology

handwriting = hand + writing (transparent) = hand + write + ing

A straightforward compound of 'hand' + 'writing' (writing = write + -ing); the meaning 'writing done by hand' is directly derived.

Etymology

Handwriting comes from the two simple words hand and writing, where hand means 'by hand' and writing means 'to write'. So handwriting is the personal way your hand makes letters, which is why each person's handwriting looks different.