manual
manual — adjective
1. carried out using a person's hands and physical effort, without the help of mach
carried out using a person's hands and physical effort, without the help of machines or tools.
Linh prefers manual sewing to using a machine because she finds it more relaxing.
collocation: manual sewing / manual work / manual skills
The old carpenter taught Ife the manual skills needed to carve wooden furniture.
usually before noun: manual + noun
Many traditional bakeries still follow manual methods for kneading their bread dough.
After sorting hundreds of envelopes by hand, Antonia understood why the company wanted a machine for the manual task.
Darius learned manual glassblowing techniques from a master craftsman in Venice.
- hand-operated
more specific — refers to the way a tool or device is controlled rather than the nature of a task
- physical
broader — can refer to any kind of body effort, not just the hands
- automated
done entirely by machine without direct human hand action
用法筆記
Frequently describes skills, tasks, or processes that involve dexterity of the hands rather than just general physical strength — distinguish from sense 3 (PHYSICAL WORK), which focuses on the type of job or labour.
常見錯誤
2. describes a tool, device, or machine that a person powers or controls directly u
describes a tool, device, or machine that a person powers or controls directly using their hands, without electricity, batteries, or a motor.
Jenna bought a manual can opener after her electric one stopped working.
collocation: manual can opener / manual pump / manual typewriter
The mechanic used a manual tyre pump because the air compressor was broken.
Our old coffee grinder is manual, so Ritu has to turn a handle for several minutes.
Unlike a power saw, a manual handsaw requires no electricity and works anywhere.
- hand-powered
more precise about the energy source being the user's hand
- non-electric
broader — includes fuel-powered tools that are not manual
用法筆記
This sense contrasts with electric, battery-powered, or motor-driven versions of the same tool. The predicative position (e.g. 'The pump is manual') is common in comparisons.
常見錯誤
3. connected with jobs or activities that involve using the body and physical stren
connected with jobs or activities that involve using the body and physical strength instead of the mind or an office environment.
Yumi took a manual job at a warehouse while she finished her college degree.
collocation: manual job / manual worker / manual labour
Construction workers often have to do heavy manual labour outdoors in all weather conditions.
Ife decided that a manual trade like plumbing would give her a stable income.
The factory employed fifty manual workers to operate the assembly line.
After years of office work, Eli found the manual nature of farming surprisingly refreshing.
- physical
broader — includes any kind of body effort, including sports and exercise
- blue-collar
relates to social class and pay type, not just physical effort
- white-collar
relating to professional or office work
- intellectual
involving mental rather than physical effort
用法筆記
Typically used in job descriptions, economic discussions, and contrasts with 'white-collar' or 'office' work. The noun phrase 'manual labour' is the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
4. describes a car or other vehicle whose driver selects and changes the gears by o
describes a car or other vehicle whose driver selects and changes the gears by operating a stick and a clutch pedal, instead of the car doing this automatically.
Eve learned to drive in a manual car and later switched to an automatic.
collocation: manual car / manual gearbox / manual transmission
Manual transmission is still popular in Europe, where drivers prefer more control over the vehicle.
Luca bought a sports car with a manual gearbox because he enjoys the driving experience.
Most driving schools in the UK offer lessons in manual vehicles, so students learn to use the clutch properly.
- stick shift
informal, mainly American English
- standard transmission
older term, less common now
- automatic
a vehicle whose gears change by themselves
- self-shifting
a vehicle where gear changes happen automatically
用法筆記
Only before a noun relating to vehicles and their parts (car, van, transmission, gearbox). The short form 'a manual' is a common noun usage — see noun sense 2 (MANUAL CAR).
常見錯誤
manual — noun
1. a book, booklet, or online document that tells the reader how to assemble, opera
a book, booklet, or online document that tells the reader how to assemble, operate, maintain, or repair a product or how to perform a particular procedure.
Evelyn checked the user manual to find out why the printer kept jamming.
collocation: user manual / instruction manual / owner's manual
The training manual for new staff included safety rules and step-by-step guides.
Linh downloaded the service manual for her motorcycle before attempting any repairs.
When the toy stopped working, Yumi looked through the manual and found a troubleshooting page.
Every laboratory must keep an operations manual that explains each piece of equipment.
- handbook
very similar; 'handbook' can be broader and may cover reference information
- guide
shorter and less formal; a guide may not cover every detail
- instruction booklet
implies a smaller document, often included with a product
用法筆記
Often combined with a preceding noun that specifies the type: user manual, instruction manual, training manual, owner's manual, service manual. Unlike 'guidebook' (for travel) or 'textbook' (for study), a manual is practical and task-oriented.
常見錯誤
2. a car or other vehicle whose gears are changed by the driver using a stick and a
a car or other vehicle whose gears are changed by the driver using a stick and a clutch, rather than by an automatic system.
Isabela rented a manual in Italy because automatics were much more expensive.
informal: 'a manual' meaning a manual car
After driving automatics for ten years, Darius had to relearn how to drive a manual.
The driving school has three automatics and one manual for learners to practise with.
Ritu prefers driving a manual because she feels more in control on mountain roads.
- stick shift
informal, mainly American English
- standard
American English, less common now
- automatic
a vehicle that changes gears by itself without driver input
用法筆記
This is a shortened form of 'manual car' or 'manual transmission vehicle.' It is most common in informal spoken English and in contexts where the vehicle type is already clear (e.g., at a rental counter or driving school).
常見錯誤
3. one of the rows of keys on a pipe organ, electronic organ, or harpsichord that a
one of the rows of keys on a pipe organ, electronic organ, or harpsichord that a musician presses with their fingers, as opposed to pedals played with the feet.
The organist moved her hands quickly between the upper and lower manuals during the performance.
collocation: upper manual / lower manual
A large church organ may have three or four manuals arranged one above the other like shelves.
Evelyn practised the Bach fugue on the swell manual to get a softer, warmer sound.
The cathedral's organ has a Great manual with powerful pipes that fill the entire building with sound.
- pedalboard
the foot-operated keyboard on an organ
用法筆記
Used mainly by organists, instrument builders, and music students. The manuals are often named by their function: Great, Swell, Choir, and Solo are the most common in a pipe organ.
常見錯誤
4. a fixed set of precise hand and arm movements for holding, presenting, or positi
a fixed set of precise hand and arm movements for holding, presenting, or positioning a rifle, performed as part of a formal military ceremony or training exercise.
The new recruits spent the morning practising the manual of arms on the parade ground.
collocation: manual of arms
During the memorial ceremony, every soldier performed the manual in perfect unison with the others.
The sergeant corrected each recruit's grip on the rifle during the manual drill.
Mastering the rifle manual requires hours of repetition to coordinate every hand movement precisely.
- manual of arms
the full formal name for this drill
- rifle drill
less formal, focused on the rifle specifically
用法筆記
Typically appears in the set phrase 'manual of arms' or 'rifle manual.' Refers specifically to ceremonial weapons handling, not combat training. In military contexts, a 'manual' (instruction book) is also used — do not confuse the two.