How to pronounce handiwork
Say it like HAN-dee-wurk. Handiwork has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce handiwork. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAN
- dee
- wurk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Handiwork pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- wurkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of handiwork
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAN-dee-wurk.
What does handiwork mean?
- Work done by the hands.
- A handmade object; a handicraft.“The Museum of Popular Arts showcases Portugal's finest handiworks.”
- Work done personally.“The street names are the handiwork of city planners.”
Where does handiwork come from?
From Middle English hondywerk, handiwerc, from Old English handġeweorc (“work done by hand, creation”), from hand (“hand”) + ġeweorc (“work”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying handiwork
How do you pronounce handiwork?
Say HAN-dee-wurk. The American pronunciation is /ˈhændiˌwɝk/. In British English it is /ˈhændiˌwɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in handiwork?
Handiwork has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAN). Broken into parts: HAN · dee · wurk.
Is handiwork pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhændiˌwɜːk/ (HAN-dee-wurk).