Synonyms

by hand

Idioms

With a hand or hands, manually (as opposed to a machine or some other means). For example, This letter was delivered by hand, or You can make these drawings by hand, but computer graphics are more efficient. [Mid-1500s]

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.

And yet it is claimed that a remarkable 80% of the country's lanterns are still made – by hand – in one small town in Hebei Province.

From BBC

"You don't get many people mending raw cashmere," said Wade, whose role is to meticulously inspect and darn any defects in the fabric by hand, before it is washed, cut and shipped around the world.

From Barron's

The tool shows examples of the piece and can then produce a detailed 3D model to be turned by hand into real jewellery.

From Barron's

He said crews were trained to stop work when they find tree roots and switch from using a backhoe to digging by hand to protect them.

From Los Angeles Times

The fabric was sourced in New York and shipped to L.A.; the ribbons were made by hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023