What does handbook mean?
Word: Handbook
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Handbook means a short book of facts and instructions on one subject, meant to be kept close by and looked up when needed.
How do you spell handbook?
Syllables: hand - book
Tricky part: It is written as one word, with no space and no hyphen; hand book and hand-book are both wrong.
Watch out for: hand book, hand-book
Memory tip: A handbook is one slim book, and it is written as one word: keep it joined from start to finish.
Handbook in a sentence
Example 1: Every new player in the junior cricket team gets a handbook explaining the rules and the practice times.
Example 2: Grandpa keeps a bird-watching handbook in his rucksack so he can check the names of the birds he spots.
Example 3: Before the science fair, Mr Lee gave each team a handbook on staying safe in the lab.
Fun Fact
Scouting for Boys, written by Robert Baden-Powell and published in 1908, was the first handbook for Scouts and has sold many millions of copies.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) textbook
b) hanbook
c) scrapbook
d) logbook
Show answer
b) hanbook. The d is easy to swallow before the b when you say it, but it must be written; textbook, logbook and scrapbook are all correct.
Sound Check
In which word is 'oo' pronounced differently?
a) wooden
b) bamboo
c) footstep
d) handbook
Show answer
b) bamboo. Bamboo has the long 'oo' of moon; the other three use the short sound of book.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
The astronomy club handbook explains how to focus the telescope and where to store the spare eyepieces.
a) 2
b) 1
c) 0
d) 3
Show answer
c) 0. Every word is correct, including astronomy, telescope and eyepieces.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the first blank:
According to the dictionary, a handbook is a book that gives ___ about a particular subject or ___ on how to use something.
a) imagination
b) invitation
c) information
d) informasion
Show answer
c) information. A handbook is full of facts, which is information; informasion is misspelt, and imagination and invitation do not fit.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these usually comes with a handbook?
a) a packet of tissues
b) a new washing machine
c) a loaf of fresh bread
d) a bunch of bananas
Show answer
b) a new washing machine
2. Which word is nearest in meaning to handbook?
a) diary
b) novel
c) atlas
d) manual
Show answer
d) manual
