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.

"What we need is a leader that is hands-on, that has a lot of energy, that knows the system, that can be the first to arrive to prevent a conflict," she said.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The V&A opened an eastern beachhead in 2025 with V&A East Storehouse, a dense, hands-on jumble of imperial treasure and modern design that opens the institution’s collections to visitors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

"You can feed and watch them, but if you want something hands-on, they're not the right choice," she added.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Artificial intelligence used for real-world, hands-on tasks -- so-called physical AI -- was in focus this year in Hanover at the world's biggest industrial technology fair, which brings together more than 3,000 exhibitors.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

It was the hands-on end of the struggle: placing babies with adoptive parents, finding work for the unemployed and medical help for the uninsured.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela