handwriting

[ hand-rahy-ting ]

noun

1. writing done with a pen or pencil in the hand; script.
2. a style or manner of writing by hand, especially that which characterizes a particular person; penmanship:

   an eccentric handwriting.

3. a handwritten document; manuscript.

handwriting

/ ˈhændˌraɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. writing by hand rather than by typing or printing
2. a person's characteristic writing style

   that signature is in my handwriting

Word History and Origins

Origin of handwriting¹

1375–1425; late Middle English hand writyng; hand + writing

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. handwriting on the wall, a premonition, portent, or clear indication, especially of failure or disaster: Also writing on the wall.

   The company had ignored the handwriting on the wall and was plunged into bankruptcy.

Example Sentences

It is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his distinctive bass clef.

From BBC

Williams also furnished the Guardian newspaper with a postcard, featuring handwriting that resembles Trump’s, of his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, which she says he sent her later that year.

From Slate

The court also heard that next to Sara’s body was a note in Urfan Sharif’s handwriting.

From BBC

One buyer said Matthews had her make a $925 check out to “Mona Mathew,” and later discovered someone had scribbled over her handwriting changing the name to “Monque.”

From Los Angeles Times

One can’t help but assume that the woman who kept a photo on her living room wall of her and West’s tussle — captioned in her own handwriting with “Life is full of little interruptions” — is saving her revenge anthems about West for the crystal anniversary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calligraphy
• longhand
• manuscript
• scrawl
• script
• writing