manual

UK: /ˈmænjuəl/ US: /ˈmænjuəl/ ,(man′yo̅o̅ əl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

man•u•al /ˈmænyuəl/   adj. 

1. operated by hand rather than mechanically:
   [before a noun] a manual gearshift.
2. involving or requiring human effort;
   physical:
   manual labor.
3. of or relating to the hands.

n. [countable]

4. a book giving instructions on how something works or on how to do something:
   a computer manual.

man•u•al•ly, adv. 

: When the automatic devices for the landing gear failed, he tried to lower it manually.

See -man-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

man•u•al  (man′yo̅o̅ əl), adj. 

1. done, operated, worked, etc., by the hand or hands rather than by an electrical or electronic device:
   a manual gearshift.
2. involving or using human effort, skill, power, energy, etc.;
   physical:
   manual labor.
3. of or pertaining to the hand or hands:
   manual deformities.
4. of the nature of a manual or handbook:
   manual instructions.

n. 

5. a small book, esp. one giving information or instructions:
   a manual of mathematical tables.
6. Computing a nonelectric or nonelectronic typewriter;
   a typewriter whose keys and carriage may be powered solely by the typist's hands.
7. Military the prescribed drill in handling a rifle:
   the manual of arms.
8. Music and Dance a keyboard, esp. one of several belonging to a pipe organ.
9. Automotive See manual transmission. 

• Latin, as above
• Middle French
• Latin manuālis (adjective, adjectival), manuāle (noun, nominal) (something) that can be held in the hand (manu(s) hand + -ālis, -āle -al¹, -al²); replacing late Middle English manuel
• 1375–1425

man′u•al•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

manual / ˈmænjʊəl/ adjective

1. of or relating to a hand or hands
2. operated or done by hand
3. physical, as opposed to mental or mechanical: manual labour
4. by human labour rather than automatic or computer-aided means

noun

1. a book, esp of instructions or information
2. one of the keyboards played by hand on an organ
3. the prescribed drill with small arms

Etymology: 15th Century: via Old French from Latin manuālis, from manus hand

ˈmanually adverb