The difference between Handbook and Manual

When used as nouns, handbook means a topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, regardless of size, whereas manual means a handbook.


Manual is also adjective with the meaning: performed with the hands (of an activity).

check bellow for the other definitions of Handbook and Manual

  1. Handbook as a noun:

    A topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, regardless of size.

  1. Manual as a noun:

    A handbook.

  2. Manual as a noun:

    A booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine or product.

    Examples:

    "The dishwasher isn't working; can you remember where we put the manual?"

  3. Manual as a noun (military):

    A drill in the use of weapons, etc.

  4. Manual as a noun (Christianity, historical):

    An old office-book like the modern Roman Catholic ritual.

  5. Manual as a noun (music):

    A keyboard for the hands on a harpsichord, organ, or other musical instrument.

  6. Manual as a noun:

    A manual transmission; a gearbox, especially of a motorized vehicle, shifted by the operator.

  7. Manual as a noun (by synecdoche):

    A vehicle with a manual transmission.

  8. Manual as a noun:

    A bicycle technique whereby the front wheel is held aloft by the rider, without the use of pedal force.

  9. Manual as a noun (medicine, colloquial):

    Manual measurement of the blood pressure, done with a manual sphygmomanometer.

    Examples:

    "do a manual"

  1. Manual as an adjective:

    Performed with the hands (of an activity).

  2. Manual as an adjective:

    Operated by means of the hands (of a machine, device etc.).

  3. Manual as an adjective (technology):

    Performed by a human rather than a machine.

    Examples:

    "The student manually corrected several errors missed by the [[spell checker]]."

  1. Manual as a noun (automotive):