Handy vs Manual - What's the difference?
As adjectives the difference between handy and manual is that handy is easy to use, useful while manual is performed with the hands (of an activity). As a noun manual is a handbook.
handy
English
Adjective
(er)
Easy to use, useful.
- Some people regard duct tape as a handy fix-all .
Nearby, within reach.
- You wouldn’t have a screwdriver handy , would you ?
(dialect) dexterous, skilful
- She’s very handy – she made all her own kitchen cupboards.
Synonyms
* (useful)
* (nearby) at hand
* (skilful) crafty
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manual
Etymology 1
From (etyl) manuel, from
Noun
(en noun)
A handbook.
A booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine.
(music) A keyboard for the hands on a harpsichord, organ, or other musical instrument.
A manual transmission; a gearbox, especially of a motorized vehicle, shifted by the operator.
(by synecdoche) A vehicle with a manual transmission.
A bicycle technique whereby the front wheel is held aloft by the rider, without the use of pedal foce.
Derived terms
* reference manual
* instruction manual
* user manual
* user’s manual
* owners manual
* owner’s manual
Etymology 2
From (etyl) manuel, manual, from (etyl) .
Adjective
(–)
Performed with the hands (of an activity).
* 1897 , Henry James, What Maisie Knew :
- She gave a wild manual brush to her locks.
Operated by means of the hands (of a machine, device etc.).
Coordinate terms
* , relating to the mouth
* , relating to the foot
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