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Definitions

manual

[man-yoo-uhl, -yuhl] / ˈmæn yu əl, -yəl /
ADJECTIVE
done by hand
Synonyms
STRONG
human standard
WEAK
hand-operated not automatic physical
Antonyms
WEAK
automated automatic
NOUN
book giving instruction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cookbook guide guidebook handbook reference book text textbook workbook
STRONG
Bible compendium enchiridion primer schoolbook

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.

At the same time, manual backup procedures are being eliminated to improve efficiency.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Construction is the most manual, highest-waste industry on the planet, and AI can bring better efficiency.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Trappist monks, who are officially known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, live a life of “prayer, silence, study, and manual labor.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Kineto requires the same sequence of building, testing and refining the app that manual coding does.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Transmission's manual, so you could probably crank it up, get her going pretty speedy.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez