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.

See Examples For:

hands-on

It promised hands-on experience with the cutting-edge technology.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

Darling-Hammond described a system straining to keep pace with a changing economy, in which students increasingly move in and out of college and blend academic coursework with hands-on career training.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

For Amy, the South Africa internship was more than just a once in a lifetime trip - but a chance to get hands-on experience in her dream job.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Student Zhang Xuefen said a lot of her friends have been "incredibly hands-on since they were kids", proving it was not "just a guy thing".

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

A fish jumping out of water was confronted by a famished boy with a hands-on, no-holds- barred approach to capturing it.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel