hands-on

adjective

ˈhan(d)z-ˈȯn How to pronounce hands-on (audio)
-ˈän
Synonyms of hands-onnext
1
: relating to, being, or providing direct practical experience in the operation or functioning of something
hands-on training
also : involving or allowing use of or touching with the hands
a hands-on museum display
2
: characterized by active personal involvement
a hands-on manager

Examples of hands-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With help from Cash App, eBay, MAC Cosmetics and MISTR, the Spectacular will combine live music and performance art with hands-on community engagement. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026 While some investors want hands-on guidance, others prefer to handle money decisions on their own. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 But moving toward significant and tangible findings in the field likely requires integrating the AI models into hands-on lab work through robotics. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 By contrast, work requiring dexterity, hands-on care, and interpersonal interaction, such as nursing, repair, and many personal-service jobs, remains much harder to automate. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hands-on

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hands-on was in 1905

Rhymes for hands-on

See All Rhymes for hands-on

Browse Nearby Words

handsomeness
hands-on
handspan
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Cite this Entry

“Hands-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hands-on. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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