hands-on

[handz-on, -awn] / ˈhændzˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

ADJECTIVE

active participation; experiential

Synonyms

STRONGEST

firsthand

STRONG

manual primary

WEAK

direct experienced explicit immediate individual intimate

Antonyms

STRONGEST

automatic computerized impersonal indirect

WEAK

second-hand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Field Marshal Asim Munir appears to be far more hands-on in matters of governance and foreign policy than his predecessors," Nawaz told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The students in question are studying for a four-year BSc in acupuncture, which as well as weekend teaching includes 25 days of hands-on experience in a clinic each year.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

When that shift happens, Pinnaka says his own human engineers will still have jobs, but they’ll no longer be hands-on with code.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

“This structure ensures parents stay in the driver’s seat during the learning years, while giving kids real, hands-on experience that prepares them for financial independence,” Jennifer Seitz, Greenlight’s director of education, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

A hands-on experience is best, especially if the student is deaf.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin