penmanship

[ pen-muhn-ship ]

noun

1. the art of handwriting; the use of the pen in writing.
2. a person's style or manner of handwriting:

   clear penmanship; poor penmanship.

penmanship

/ ˈpɛnmənʃɪp /

noun

1. style or technique of writing by hand Also calledcalligraphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of penmanship¹

First recorded in 1685–95; penman + -ship

Example Sentences

Before she could assign me penmanship drills, I went to find Klawde.

From Literature

The process might have felt impersonal to an adult, but as a child, receiving dozens of little envelopes that were addressed to me, in the individual penmanship of each of my classmates, felt heavenly.

From New York Times

Lousy penmanship didn’t stop me from becoming someone whose profession depends on shaping letters.

From Los Angeles Times

Portland, Ore., resident John Green, 76, grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the early 1950s: “I can distinctly remember the penmanship instructions given in the early elementary grades — I believe we were taught the Palmer Method — virtually a lost art today. ... In the sales seminars I used to lead, I would always use cursive.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Consistent penmanship is not a constitutional prerequisite to vote in Washington state,” wrote Kevin Hamilton, a Seattle attorney who has represented the Democratic Party in election disputes across the country, in a summary judgment motion for the plaintiffs.

From Seattle Times