handwriting

Everyday

1. Writing that you do with a pen or pencil by hand, not typed. tree →
2. The way a person's writing looks: «neat handwriting». tree →

In the lessons

In school: handwriting lessons teach letter shapes, joined-up (cursive) writing and neat spacing; teachers say «Use your best handwriting». In stories, detectives recognise who wrote a note by the handwriting. Phrases: «neat/messy handwriting», «joined-up handwriting», «handwriting practice».

Examples

• Please write in your best handwriting. tree →
• My handwriting gets messy when I rush. tree →
• We practise joined-up handwriting every morning. tree →
• The detective recognised the handwriting on the letter. tree →
• Her handwriting is small and neat. tree →
• I can't read the doctor's handwriting! tree →
• And yet it is undeniably my own handwriting. tree →

Note

Uncountable: not «a handwriting» or «handwritings». One word. Adjective: handwritten (a handwritten card). Cursive = joined-up handwriting.