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Manual Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Manual Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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Est. 1828

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Definition

adjective

noun

adjective

2

adjective

noun

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manual

1 of 2

adjective

man·​u·​al

ˈman-yə-wəl 

-yəl,

-yü-əl

Synonyms of manual

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving the hands

manual dexterity

b

: worked or done by hand and not by machine

a manual transmission manual computation manual indexing

2

: requiring or using physical skill and energy

manual labor manual workers

manual

2 of 2

noun

1

: a book that is conveniently handled

especially

: handbook

an instruction manual

2

: the prescribed movements in the handling of a weapon or other military item during a drill or ceremony

the manual of arms

3

a

: a keyboard for the hands

specifically

: one of the several keyboards of an organ or harpsichord that controls a separate division of the instrument

b

: a device or apparatus intended for manual operation

c

: an automobile with a manual transmission

Is your car a manual or an automatic?

called also

standard

Synonyms

Noun

handbook

primer

text

textbook

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of manual in a Sentence

Adjective

She spent the summer doing manual labor on her uncle's farm.

He has a collection of old-fashioned manual typewriters.

Noun

Here's the owner's manual of your new car.

The computer program comes with a user's manual.

We lost the instruction manual and couldn't put our bikes together.

Please refer to the training manual if you have any questions about your job.

Is your car a manual or an automatic?

See More

Recent Examples on the WebAdjective

By linking platforms with customers' ERP and accounting information, financial processes can be more effectively centralized and automated, evacuating any need for manual data entry.

—Dimitri Raziev, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

All-encompassing luxury among the remaining manual luxury cars tends not to be the highest priority, and instead driving dynamics and power, for the hardcore buyers who still want to row their own in a modern car.

—Kyle Hyatt, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024

This is a super compact, manual baby food grinder that’s portable.

—Laura Denby, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024

Many of the campers try to keep the property tidy, picking up trash and cutting the grass with a manual push mower.

—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024

Secondly, bump stocks do not enable a rifle to fire automatically, because the shooter has to engage in ongoing manual actions after activating the trigger.

—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2024

Campbellsville University student Josiah Kilman, 18, died from asphyxia by manual strangulation, the Campbellsville Police Department said Monday.

—Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024

The student at Campbellsville University in Kentucky who was found dead in his dorm room died by manual strangulation, the coroner announced Monday.

—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024

As a paraplegic and manual wheelchair user, that privilege had been revoked.

—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2024

Noun

However, as Oxford Economics points out, 40% of procurement leaders say their departments are still bound by their manual, low-value tasks due to the need to work with legacy systems.

—Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

At the same time, Tesla user manuals cite a long list of conditions under which Full Self-Driving may not function properly, including narrow roads with oncoming cars and curvy roads.

—Talia Trackim, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024

There is an entire section of the Tesla owner’s manual listing the limitations and warnings surrounding these programs.

—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024

Today, many of those creations can be found in the Hugh Le Caine Collection of Midcentury Electronic Musical Instrument Design, along with related artifacts, recordings, and operation manuals.

—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Feb. 2024

This bread lame comes with five razor blades, an instructional manual, and a magnetic bread handle that’s shorter than most, which ultimately offers you more control while scoring.

—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2024

These customers cited a Cybertruck user manual which advises owners to meticulously maintain the vehicles in order to avoid corrosion and other surface damage.

—Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2024

The vehicle is accompanied by tools, manuals, and documentation that includes a history report compiled by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.

—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024

The Help section includes both a quick start guide and a manual, the latter of which takes a long time to load.

—PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2024

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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English manuel, from Anglo-French, from Latin manualis, from manus hand; akin to Old English mund hand and perhaps to Greek marē hand

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of manual was

in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing manual

manual alphabet

manual transmission

training manual

Articles Related to manual

'Whole Milk', 'British English', and 16...

New(er) words for old things

Dictionary Entries Near manual

Manua Islands

manual

manual alphabet

See More Nearby Entries 

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Merriam-Webster

“Manual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manual. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

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Kids Definition

manual

1 of 2

adjective

man·​u·​al

ˈman-yə(-wə)l 

1

: of, relating to, or involving the hands

manual skill

2

: worked or operated by hand

a car with a manual transmission

3

: requiring or using physical skill and energy

manual labor

manually

adverb

manual

2 of 2

noun

1

: a small book

especially

: handbook

2

: the set movements in the handling of a weapon during a military drill

the manual of arms

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English manuel "relating to the hands, manual," from early French manuel (same meaning), from Latin manualis (same meaning), from manus "hand" — related to manage, maneuver, manufacture see Word History at maneuver

Medical Definition

manual

adjective

man·​u·​al

ˈman-yə(-wə)l 

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving the hands

manual dexterity

b

: done or performed by hand and not by machine

manual removal of nits and lice—Jerome Potts

2

: using signs and the manual alphabet in teaching the deaf compare oral sense 2

Legal Definition

manual

adjective

man·​u·​al

ˈman-yə-wəl 

: involving or as if involving use of the hands

specifically

: of, relating to, or being a gift of a corporeal movable object that is actually delivered

a manual donation

manually

adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on manual

Nglish: Translation of manual for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of manual for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manual

Last Updated:

4 Mar 2024

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How to Write a Manual (with Pictures) - wikiHow

How to Write a Manual (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

CategoriesEducation and CommunicationsWritingTechnical WritingHow to Write a Manual

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parts

1

Get to Know the Subject

2

Plan Your Manual Layout

3

Start Writing

4

Formatting

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Last Updated: November 11, 2023

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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.

There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 242,972 times.

Learn more...

Writing an instruction manual may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easier than you think! These steps apply to any written instruction, from the very simple (How to Clap) to the intensely complicated (How to Build a Semiconductor.)

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Get to Know the Subject

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

This is key. It may seem self-evident, but knowledge is the key to writing a successful manual. For example, if you’re writing a camera manual, knowing that an f-stop and the shutter speed are not just 2 separate functions—they are—but knowing how they interact with each other will make it much easier for you to describe each function as it relates to the whole.[1]

X

Research source

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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2

Talk to experts. If your role is simply the writer rather than the subject matter expert, involve knowledgeable people throughout the process and make sure they review your work. Their knowledge and advice is invaluable.

Advertisement

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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3

Try a hands-on approach. If possible, doing the thing you are writing about will, at the very least, give you a feel for what the user will want to learn.[2]

X

Research source

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Write-a-Manual-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Write-a-Manual-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4

Read up on the subject. Learn to talk the talk, and become conversant in the product you are writing about.

Manuals of similar products will show you how other writers have tackled the subject.

Look for similarities among the writers, which indicates both common functionality and common approaches to describing something.

Look for differences that stand out. Those are likely to be functions that are unique to a given product. Your product may or may not include those functions, or may have alternate ways of solving the problem that you can describe, enhancing the value of your product. While your job may be writing a how-to, showing the customers the value of their purchase is a great way to encourage them to continue reading.

Devour trade magazines. Find out how the people who use the products work with them day-to-day. They may wish there was a function that solved their particular problem, and if your product is the solution, that needs to be highlighted.

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Part 2

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Plan Your Manual Layout

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{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Write-a-Manual-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Write-a-Manual-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

Break it down. Whether a simple step-by-step instruction sheet, or a manual for a 35mm digital camera, breaking it down into digestible chunks has several benefits:

It lets you focus on individual parts of the whole. Your goal is to familiarize the user with how to learn the process. How to perform the function can be left for a tutorial at the end, if desired, or left for the user to discover on their own.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Write-a-Manual-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Write-a-Manual-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Follow a logical sequence. It would do no good, for example, to describe how the flash on a camera works until you’ve shown how to attach the lens, load the film, turn on the camera, and adjust the focus. This is especially useful if you do not know the subject matter well.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Write-a-Manual-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Write-a-Manual-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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3

Use this as your template for your table of contents.[3]

X

Research source

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Write-a-Manual-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Write-a-Manual-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4

Review your steps. Once you’ve defined the logical sections, review them to make sure everything is covered.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Write-a-Manual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Write-a-Manual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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5

Gather your supplies. Have the items that you’re describing on hand and ready to use as described in the manual. If you’re making a paper box, have paper, scissors, tape, glue, and a ruler handy. If you’re writing about a camera, make sure your camera is disassembled. If possible, the product you’re writing about should be back in the box at this point.

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Part 3

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Start Writing

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

Write the introduction.[4]

X

Research source

This will set the tone of the entire manual, and will give the user an idea about what sort of manual they are about to digest. Will it be light and amusing, or straightforward and no-nonsense? It depends on your readership. There’s much more room for verbal play teaching children to make a paper box than there is teaching a doctor how to proceed with open-heart surgery. Establish the tone early and keep that tone throughout the manual.

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Perform each step as you write. Not only does this give your writing the air of honesty and authenticity, you also ensure nothing will get left out.

If, for some reason, it isn't feasible to do the steps, think them through thoroughly and consult somebody who is an expert.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Write-a-Manual-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Write-a-Manual-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

Number the steps. This makes it easier for people to follow along, and to refer back to should they lose their place.[5]

X

Research source

If you’re writing on paper, be sure to leave space for additions between each step. Remember to renumber your steps if you add more in.

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4

Include tips and warnings. As you’re writing, you may realize that if the user performs a step carelessly, it could cause a problem.

Conversely, if there is some bit of knowledge that will make the user’s task easier or more interesting, add it in.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Write-a-Manual-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Manual-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Write-a-Manual-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/aid23832-v4-728px-Write-a-Manual-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5

Test it out. Using only your written instructions, do the thing you are writing about. Should you find places where your instructions are lacking, add in the necessary information. Repeat this step until you have all the steps and can do what you are teaching without having to add notes.

Consider having a friend or two use the manual. Watch them closely when they learn how to use the product. See where they zip through it. See where they get lost, confused, or fail at the task. Listen to what they have to say, then adjust your manual accordingly.

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6

Proofread your manual.[6]

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Research source

You don’t want to send your final proofreader (be that your agency or your spouse) a manual full of glaring errors.[7]

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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Formatting

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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1

Start at the top level. Once you have all the necessary steps detailed, go through your manual to find the obvious category heads.[8]

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Title them, and note their locations.

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License: Creative Commons<\/a>
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2

Write a Table of Contents, if applicable. Look at the way wikiHow is laid out as an example. The main page offers many section heads. When you access a section, it lists many subcategories, and the subcategories list articles. The more detailed your manual is, the more categories and subcategories you will need. (How to Whistle needs none, How to Carve a Whistle needs a few, and How to Play the Flute needs many!)

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3

Proofread again. Yes, you did it thoroughly once already. Doing it a second time will undoubtedly catch a few more minor errors or places where your manual just isn’t clear.[9]

X

Research source

For a more comprehensive manual, you can also take this opportunity to note all the small topics, and use that information to create an index.

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If you are writing the manual in a chronological order finish writing the manual first. Then, make the table of contents in the order of the steps by page number.

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Writing each section on a separate page (or on a computer) will make editing easier. You can more easily rearrange if you have room to work and can find your edit marks. On the computer, leave 3 or 4 lines (by hitting enter several times) between each step so you can easily find the breaks.

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Even if something seems obvious to you, write out the steps! It will help you avoid glossing over something your user doesn't know. It's better to put in extra information rather than leave out important steps.

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If you are writing a very detailed manual that requires chapters, such as How to Play the Flute, your first step might actually be to list all the chapters, such as Selecting a Flute, Assembly and Care, Tone Production, Methods of Fingering, Your First Piece, etc. You would then apply the basic rules for writing a manual to each chapter because each chapter is like a separate manual in itself!

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References

↑ https://www.csus.edu/campus-safety/police-department/_internal/_documents/rwm.pdf

↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1086006.pdf

↑ https://www.ucop.edu/local-human-resources/_files/performance-appraisal/How%20to%20write%20SMART%20Goals%20v2.pdf

↑ https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/versions/print/intro.pdf

↑ https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/chapter/writinginstructions/

↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/grammarpunct/proofreading/

↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

↑ https://www.aphl.org/aboutAPHL/publications/Documents/QS-2017May-QA-Manual.pdf

↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-nonfiction/write-a-how-to-article-in-6-easy-steps

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 34 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 242,972 times.

21 votes - 82%

Co-authors: 34

Updated: November 11, 2023

Views: 242,972

Categories: Business Writing | Technical Writing

Article SummaryXTo write a manual, break the process you're trying to outline down into easy, digestible chunks so that readers can follow along step-by-step. Also, make sure your manual follows a logical sequence so that readers can do everything in order without having to skip around between sections. To help organize your manual, include a table of contents at the beginning so readers know exactly where to find the information they're looking for. For tips on how to research the topic of your manual, read on!

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In other languages

Italiano:Scrivere un Manuale

Español:elaborar un manual

Deutsch:Eine Gebrauchsanweisung schreiben

Français:rédiger un manuel

Русский:написать руководство

中文:编写一本手册

Nederlands:Een handleiding schrijven

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MANUAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

MANUAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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English

Meaning of manual in English

manualadjective uk

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/ˈmæn.ju.əl/ us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmæn.ju.əl/

Add to word list

Add to word list

B2 done with the hands: the manual sorting of letters She tried to cure the pain in my knee by putting manual pressure on the joint.

A manual machine is operated with the hands rather than by electricity or a motor: He still works on an old manual typewriter.

B2 involving physical work rather than mental work: unskilled manual labour 750 manual workers will lose their jobs as a result of company cutbacks. Computer-controlled robots are taking over manual jobs in many industries.

used to describe a vehicle in which the driver has to change the gears, or a feature of such a vehicle: He was driving a manual car when he only had a licence for an automatic. She has a Jeep with a 5-speed manual transmission. Only 10 percent of the vehicles sold in Canada had a manual gearbox. Compare

automatic

More examplesFewer examplesThe EU has issued guidelines on appropriate levels of pay for part-time manual workers.The heating system has a manual override.She doesn't like doing manual work.We use a manual system of records.He has very good manual dexterity.I can't drive a manual car because of my disability, but I'm fine with an automatic.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

The hand

carpal

carpometacarpal

carpus

cuticle

dexterity

dexterous

finger

fingernail

fingertip

left-handed

left-hander

little finger

metacarpal

metacarpophalangeal

metacarpus

minimus

nail

opposable

palm

pinkie

See more results »

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Machines - general words

Types of employment

manualnoun [ C ] uk

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/ˈmæn.ju.əl/ us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmæn.ju.əl/

manual noun [C]

(INSTRUCTIONS)

B2 a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something, such as a machine: a DIY manual The computer comes with a 600-page instruction manual.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Books: reference books

almanac

annual

atlas

bible

coursebook

dictionary

gazetteer

grammar

guide

handbook

headword

peerage

phrase book

speller

textbook

the Yellow Pages

thesaurus

who

who's who idiom

yearbook

See more results »

manual noun [C]

(VEHICLE)

a vehicle in which the driver has to change the gears: Can you drive a manual? Compare

automatic noun

More examplesFewer examplesWas the hire car an automatic or a manual?

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Machines - general words

3-D printer

animatronic

automated

automation

backhoe

chuck

coffee machine

convenience

crankshaft

Heath Robinson

humanoid

immobilizer

roller

snow thrower

stacker

stump grinder

supersensitivity

synchrotron

valve

workhorse

See more results »

manual noun [C]

(MUSIC)

music

  specialized a keyboard, especially on an organ, designed to be played with the hands rather than the feet

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Musical instruments

accordion

acoustically

aerophone

alphorn

alto

drumbeat

drumhead

drumroll

drumstick

dulcimer

oud

over-pedal

panpipes

paradiddle

pedal steel

tubular bells

tuned

tuning fork

tuning peg

ukulele

See more results »

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

manual | American Dictionary

manualadjective [ not gradable ] us

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/ˈmæn·ju·əl/

manual adjective [not gradable]

(DONE BY HAND)

Add to word list

Add to word list

done or operated with the hands: The mail can be sorted faster by machine then by manual sorting. He has callouses on his hands from years of manual labor.

If a machine is manual, it does not use electricity to operate: We all used manual typewriters in those days.

manually adverb us

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/ˈmæn·ju·ə·li/

a manually operated pump

manualnoun [ C ] us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmæn·ju·əl/

manual noun [C]

(BOOK)

a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something: Get the computer manufacturer’s operating manual.

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

manual | Business English

manualadjective uk

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/ˈmænjuəl/ us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

Add to word list

Add to word list

done or operated with the hands, and not using electricity, an electronic system, etc.: The printer has a single-sheet manual feed in front.manual process/system The computerized system that we introduced to replace our old manual system has brought significant advantages.

HR, WORKPLACE relating to physical work rather than mental work: manual job/labour/work, etc. He had no qualifications and ended up doing various types of manual work. It is men who have been hardest hit by the loss of permanent skilled and semi-skilled manual jobs. The largely female workforce continues, in the main, to be treated as part-time, unskilled manual labour.

manualnoun [ C ] uk

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmænjuəl/ us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something such as a machine: Read through the instruction manual before you start. We provide a training manual for all new staff.

 on manual

not being operated automatically: The heating system had been left on manual.

See also

operations manual

service manual

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of manual

manual

Various operation manuals used this configuration, which focuses on the manageability or governmentality of the rural population.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

They ranged from bowing, pedalling, use of manuals and ®ngering, to breathing, words (diction and translations) and a variety of other problems associated with singing.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The abundance of technical manuals for various instruments is daunting, and a review of these will not be attempted here.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Rather, they are the products in large part of expert knowledge enacted in discourses such as those of translation, grammars, dictionaries, and style manuals.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Household furnishing manuals recommended this neoclassical furnishing as an elegant, more comfortable replacement for earlier styles.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Publishers saw profits in teach-yourself manuals and academic science text-books.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The choices of which manuals and registers to use are made in a holistic process guided by the musical images of the player.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

All standardized tests were given according to the test manuals.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The majority of self-help manuals are handbooks of a youthful middle age, steadfastly looking forward to the past.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Controlled languages are subsets of natural languages used for technical purposes such as instruction manuals for aircraft maintenance.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

Would we be shocked by archaisms (as we surely would be if some of the staging manuals' melodramatic instructions to the singers were followed)?

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The primary and secondary source literature on marriage manuals and conduct books is vast.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The manuals emerging from partnerships, described above, are an attempt to formally expand the range of menu options, beyond that of conventional wisdom.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

I read numerous general texts on aviation and commercial aviation, official accident reports, operations manuals for particular aircraft, and company training materials.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

All of the materials were checked with manuals and teachers.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

See all examples of manual

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

Collocations with manual

manual

These are words often used in combination with manual.Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

design manualWhen did one last hear of an architect producing a design manual or registering a patent on the strength of a particular design?

From the Cambridge English Corpus  

field manualsThey continued until recent times to provide information for field manuals, host lists, and biological studies.

From Wikipedia

This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.

 

five-speed manualTransmission were either a five-speed manual with a floor shifter or a column-mounted four-speed automatic.

From Wikipedia

This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.

 

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

See all collocations with manual

What is the pronunciation of manual?

 

B2,B2,B2

Translations of manual

in Chinese (Traditional)

用手做的, 手工的, (機器)用手操作的,手動的…

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in Chinese (Simplified)

用手做的, 手工的, (机器)用手操作的,手动的…

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in Spanish

manual, manual de instrucciones [masculine, singular]…

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in Portuguese

manual, carro com câmbio manual, manual [masculine]…

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in more languages

in Marathi

in Japanese

in Turkish

in French

in Catalan

in Dutch

in Tamil

in Hindi

in Gujarati

in Danish

in Swedish

in Malay

in German

in Norwegian

in Urdu

in Ukrainian

in Russian

in Telugu

in Arabic

in Bengali

in Czech

in Indonesian

in Thai

in Vietnamese

in Polish

in Korean

in Italian

हाताने करणे, हाताने, वीज किंवा मोटर न वापरता हातांनी चालवायचे यंत्र…

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手作業の, 取扱説明書, マニュアル…

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elle yapılan, el kitabı, kullanma kılavuzu…

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manuel [masculine], manuel/-elle, manuel…

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manual…

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hand-, niet-automatisch, handboek…

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கைகளால் செய்யக்கூடியது, ஒரு கையேடு இயந்திரம் மின்சாரம் அல்லது மோட்டார் மூலம் அல்லாமல் கைகளால் இயக்கப்படுகிறது, மன வேலையை விட உடல் வேலை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட…

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हाथों से किया हुआ, (एक मशीन का) हस्त-चालित, शारीरिक…

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હાથથી બનાવેલ, હાથનું, (મશીનનું) મેન્યુઅલી…

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manuel, hånd-, arbejdsmand…

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manuell, med händerna, hand-…

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dengan tangan, buruh kasar, manual…

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manuell, das Handbuch, das Manual…

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håndbok [masculine], bruksanvisning [masculine], manuell…

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ہاتھ سے کیا ہوا, دستی, ہاتھ سے چلائی جانے والی مشین…

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ручний, фізичний, такий…

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ручной, физический, руководство…

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చేతితో తయారు చేసిన, యంత్రాల ద్వారా కాకుండా చేతులతో పని చేసే, మెదడుతో ఆలోచించి చేసే పని కన్నా శారీరక శ్రమ ఎక్కువగా కలిగి ఉంటుంది…

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يَدَوي, كُتَيّب إرشادي…

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হস্তসাধিত, হাত দিয়ে চালানো, কায়িক শ্রম…

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ruční, manuální, příručka…

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dengan tangan, kasar, manual…

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เกี่ยวกับมือ, การทำงานที่ต้องใช้มือ, ทำด้วยมือ…

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thủ công, bằng tay, điều khiển bằng tay…

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fizyczny, ręczny, podręcznik…

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손으로 하는, 설명서…

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manuale, tastiera…

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mantelpiece

mantis

mantle

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manual

manual alphabet

manual dexterity

manual handling

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non-manual

manual worker

service manual

manual alphabet

manual dexterity

manual handling

training manual

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How to Create a User Manual (with Pictures) - wikiHow

How to Create a User Manual (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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CategoriesEducation and CommunicationsWritingTechnical WritingHow to Create a User Manual

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1

Planning Your User Manual

2

Including Essential Information

3

Describing Product Care

4

Writing a Readable Manual

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Article Summary

Co-authored by

Joe Simmons

Last Updated: January 10, 2024

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This article was co-authored by Joe Simmons. Joe Simmons is a Corporate Trainer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Joe specializes in operations management, leadership, learning and development, and employee training to help employees become high-performing teams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The University of South Florida. Joe’s coaching has helped numerous organizations with employee retention, revenue growth, and team productivity.

There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 203,007 times.

Software, computers, games, and devices require user manuals, guides that explain how to use the product (and how not to). A user manual is a formal writing piece with a specific structure, and should be written by someone who is intimately familiar with the product such as a technical writer or the product designer. Writing an effective user manual requires knowing who is going to be using the product, then writing it with these users in mind. Keep your writing clear, precise, and simple in order to ensure a problem-free user experience.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Planning Your User Manual

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1

Do an audience analysis. The user manual should be written for the audience -- those who will be purchasing your product or service and reading the user manual. An audience analysis will tell you who your main or target audience will be and will guide your writing.[1]

X

Research source

Talk to people who will use your device. Offer test users prototypes of the device and a draft of the user manual under controlled conditions. Solicit these test users’ feedback about things that are not obvious or confusing in the user directions and incorporate changes into your user manual based on this feedback.

You can never please your entire audience; write the manual to suit the target or largest audience.

Think about the audience’s age, health (do they have illnesses, learning impairments, or disabilities?), and educational level to determine the best approach to writing the user guide.

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2

Coordinate the design of the user manual. If you were part of the team that helped design and develop the device or product, it might be hard to look at the product objectively in order to explain its operation. You might, therefore, want to solicit the advice of a writer (preferably one with experience in writing instructions) and graphic designer in order to help you draft the user manual. You could choose these individuals from an outside consultancy or from your own company or organization.

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3

Do a task analysis. A task analysis is the process of identifying and organizing the steps needed to use the device. A thorough task analysis will identify the materials and equipment (such as batteries, medications, or other user-provided products) needed for each step, as well as the actions, errors, and troubleshooting advice that each step might require.[2]

X

Research source

If you have a product that can perform many different tasks or sub-tasks, you will need to perform a task analysis on each task. For instance, in a car, you can honk the horn, strap yourself in, and turn your headlights on or off. Create a task analysis for each of these as needed.

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4

Ensure your product complies with labeling and marketing clearance requirements. These requirements ensure that products are produced with user safety in mind, and will limit user exposure to dangerous conditions such as radiation and electrocution. Advertisements must demonstrate clearly what the purpose and basic operational guidelines of a product are, and you should use these sources when writing your user manual.

For the user manual of a product to be effective, it needs to be written in concert with labels affixed directly to the product.

Ensure your device is legally licensed for sale before writing instruction manual.

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5

Decide on your manual’s layout. There are several important ways you can streamline your manual. You should place a bold heading at the start of each section with each word capitalized. For instance, “Setting Up Your Device,” “Operating Your Device,” and “Troubleshooting” could all be bold section headings.

Another way to streamline your manual is to use two columns, one on the right with text and the other just to the left of the text with bullet points, numbers, or small icons like warning signs or red exclamation marks.[3]

X

Research source

Your manual might be mostly images with some text beneath each image to explain the device, or it could be primarily text with only a few accompanying images. You could also use a flow chart to provide the user with directions. Think about your product and how each method might be of use when writing your user manual. However, avoid mixing different layouts within a manual. Choose one and stick with it.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Including Essential Information

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1

Organize the manual logically. The user manual should proceed in a way that the user will find most beneficial.[4]

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Joe SimmonsCorporate Trainer

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

Split the manual into chapters or sections that make sense for the product's use, and include a table of contents toward the front of the manual so each section can be found quickly.

A table of contents is especially necessary for longer manuals.

A glossary or index is needed when there are many terms to explain that your audience may not be familiar with. However, glossaries are not recommended; the best choice is to explain confusing terms in the text of the manual itself. If you choose to include a glossary, place it in front of the manual, just after the table of contents.

A list of tables or figures is only necessary if there are more than a few tables or figures in the manual.

An appendix is needed for things that should be explained but cannot be explained at another point in the manual because it would disturb the flow and focus.

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2

Include necessary warnings. The general warnings or cautionary information should provide information about potential threats improper use of the product could incur, including death or serious injury. These warnings should be placed in the very front of the manual after the cover page so that the user sees them first. Specific warnings should also be included in the text of the user manual just after or just before a potentially hazardous step is suggested.

For instance, a general warning for an electric device might be to avoid using it during rain.

A specific direction might be to ensure that your hands and the device are both dry before plugging the device in.

Include graphics (such as a skull and crossbones) or different-colored text (like red text) to differentiate the warning from the rest of the directions in the user manual and draw users’ attention to it.

You could explain the benefits of following the manual instead of working independently.[5]

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Expert Source

Joe SimmonsCorporate Trainer

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

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3

Describe the device. Your description should include both a written explanation as to the device’s purpose and a small graphic depicting what the device looks like. The graphic should properly label and name all the switches, knobs, and attachable parts that the device includes.

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4

Include setup instructions. The setup section should include basic information about how to prepare to use the product or device. If the device cannot be constructed or set up by a home user, state this fact plainly in a bold header at the top of the setup section. You should also include:[6]

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A parts list

Unpacking instructions

Warnings related to setup

Results of an improper setup

Who to call in case they encounter difficulty in setting up

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5

Provide information about operation. This section is the main portion of the user manual and should provide concrete, detailed information on how to use the device. Begin with basic preparation for using the device, such as plugging it in or washing your hands. Move on to logical, numbered steps that describe how the device should be used, as well as feedback (for instance, “You’ll hear a click...”) the user can expect when using the device appropriately.

At the end of this section, users should be referred to the troubleshooting section in order to solve problems that can’t be quickly explained.

Include graphics where necessary. Some steps are best explained with images as well as words. Think about using photographs or illustrations in your user manual.

In this section, as in every section, be sure to include relevant safety warnings about improper use or operation. For instance, you might warn users of a chainsaw not to drink alcohol or use the chainsaw while on certain medications.

If you think users would benefit, consider including links to online videos that demonstrate proper use and operation of the device. You could include these videos either at the beginning of this section, or (in the case of videos that illustrate only one step) at the end of each step.

Try to keep your instructions as simple as possible. If your manual gets too complicated, you might lose people along the way.[7]

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Expert Source

Joe SimmonsCorporate Trainer

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

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6

Include a product summary at the end. The summary should go at the end of the manual, just before the index, in order to provide basic steps of operation. This should be a simplified, stripped-down version of the operational information section, and should be no more than one page. Summarize how to use the device or product. Include basic warnings, numbered step explaining how to use the product, and phone numbers or email addresses that direct users to help.

If you expect the user will remove the summary sheet or need to consult it frequently, you could print it on a removal laminated card, or thick card stock to make it easier for the user to carry with them and reference.

Alternatively, include a summary sheet directly on the product so that users can reference it quickly and easily.

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Part 3 of 4:

Describing Product Care

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1

Explain how to clean the device. If your device or product requires cleaning, explain how to do so. Be sure to enumerate the cleaning supplies needed. Inform the reader of how often they should clean. Then, just as you would in any other section of the user manual, include numbered step-by-step instructions as to how cleaning should proceed.

If cleaning requires some disassembly of the product, or removal of a certain part or parts, be sure to include details on how to disassemble.

Include a warning about the results of failing to clean the device will be. For instance, you might say, “Failure to clean will result in a below optimal performance.”

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2

Tell the user how to perform basic maintenance. If the product or device can be serviced by the user to correct performance issues, include numbered directions as to how the user can do so. For instance, if the batteries need to be changed after every 300 hours of use, include directions on how to check whether the batteries need to be changed, how to remove the dead batteries, and how to insert the new batteries.

If there are some maintenance tasks that can only be performed by a certified technician, divide the maintenance portion of the manual into two sections.

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3

Discuss storage options. The user manual should, if necessary, explain how to store the product or device properly. You should also include information about why storage is necessary, and what the results of improper storage are. For instance, you might write:

“Store the product in a cool, dry place. Improper storage could shorten the life of your product due to the buildup of moisture.”

"Do not expose product to heat or store at temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C). Doing so may lead to combustion."

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4

Include troubleshooting information. You might organize this section as a list of common problems and their solutions. Group similar problems together under a logical heading. This way, users can find specific problems quickly.[8]

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For instance, if there are several problems with the computer displaying a blue screen, list them together under a sub-heading like “Common Screen Problems.”

You should also include a phone number and/or email for customer service in this section.

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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Writing a Readable Manual

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1

Read other user manuals. Before writing a manual for your own product, look at other effective user manuals. Pay attention to the structure, word choice, and sentence style. Major brands like Apple, Google, and Microsoft produce strong, effective user manuals that can help you produce a more thoughtfully written user manual.[9]

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Don't just read any user manuals. Read the manuals for similar products that you are selling. For example, if you're selling baby products, read baby manuals, not tech.

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2

Select your standards. Standardizing spelling, word choice, and phrasing will make the user manual more user-friendly. The Chicago Manual of Style and the Microsoft Manual of Style might also be useful style guides when writing your user manual; consult both to see if one will work for your manual.[10]

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For instance, instead of using both “on/off switch” and “power switch” in your user manual, choose one or the other term and stick with it.

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3

Use active voice. Active voice is a perspective in writing that explains things from the user’s perspective. It is easier to understand than its alternative, passive voice, in which the subject is undefined.[11]

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Try the Hemingway App (www.hemmingwayapp.com) to identify passive passages in your writing.

Examine these two sentences, the first active and the other passive, for examples of each:

You should open the package slowly and carefully.

The package should be opened slowly and carefully.

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4

Write numbered instructions. Numerically ordered instructions will help the reader stay more focused on the process of using, connecting, or building the product in question. Instead of writing a long, rambling paragraph, or a series of un-numbered paragraphs, write your user manual with simple, explicit steps, each numbered clearly.[12]

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5

Start each step with an imperative. An imperative is an action-oriented verb. By starting each step with a verb, you will clue the reader in to the action required to complete the step. For instance, depending on the product you’re writing about, you might begin your steps with imperatives like “Connect,” “Attach,” or “Slide.” Do not begin your steps with a system response, however.[13]

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For example, if the screen will turn blue and blink, don't start the step with: “The screen will blink and turn blue.” Try: "Press and hold the home key. The screen will blink and turn blue."

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6

Decide what kind of vocabulary you’ll use. If you’re writing a yo-yo user manual, your audience will be mostly young children. Use simple words and vocabulary in order to explain how the yo-yo works. If you’re writing a user manual for a scanning electron microscope, your audience will be highly trained scientists who can understand highly detailed information, so don’t shrink from using specialized vocabulary or nuanced explanations.

In general, try to avoid jargon and technical language.

To be effective to the broadest array of users, try to write at a sixth to seventh grade reading level.

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7

Ensure your translations are accurate if you are shipping a product overseas. Hire a translator to translate your user manual into the native language of the country that you are shipping your product to. Alternatively, use an online translating app, but ask a native speaker read over and edit the translation for errors.

If there are multiple language groups represented in your audience, include translations of the user manual in each relevant language.

The translator should be familiar with the product, as there may be different words for specific terms in the target language that not are word-for-word translations.

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8

Keep your writing brief. Instead of a few long paragraphs, use many short paragraphs. Look for logical breaks in each section and put useful information into one or two-sentence chunks. The same applies at the sentence level. Keep your sentences short and simple, rather than long and rambling.[14]

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If a step is starting to get too long, break it up into smaller steps. This won't cause the word-count to go down, but the line breaks will make it easier to read.

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9

Proofread the manual. A manual can lose credibility due to grammar and spelling mistakes. Have a coworker or technical writer edit and proofread the manual as well. In addition to spelling and grammar, a proofreader should look for:[15]

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University of North Carolina Writing Center

UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process

Go to source

Passive voice

Ambiguous or confusing language

Complicated sentence structure

Overly long paragraphs

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Question

How do you write instructions?

Joe Simmons

Corporate Trainer

Joe Simmons is a Corporate Trainer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Joe specializes in operations management, leadership, learning and development, and employee training to help employees become high-performing teams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The University of South Florida. Joe’s coaching has helped numerous organizations with employee retention, revenue growth, and team productivity.

Joe Simmons

Corporate Trainer

Expert Answer

Keep your instructions as focused, simple, and digestible as you can. Also, try to tailor the manual to day-to-day activities, which helps boost your employees' courage, competence, performance, and productivity.

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References

↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-user-manuals.html

↑ https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/task-analysis.html

↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=FmggBAAAQBAJ&lpg=PR1&pg=PA83#v=onepage&q&f=false

↑ Joe Simmons. Corporate Trainer. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

↑ Joe Simmons. Corporate Trainer. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

↑ https://www.userfocus.co.uk/articles/usermanuals.html

↑ Joe Simmons. Corporate Trainer. Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.

↑ https://www.userfocus.co.uk/articles/usermanuals.html

↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=FmggBAAAQBAJ&lpg=PR1&pg=PA80#v=onepage&q&f=false

More References (6)

↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-user-manuals.html

↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/style/ccs_activevoice/

↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-user-manuals.html

↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/imperative/

↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=FmggBAAAQBAJ&lpg=PR1&pg=PA83#v=onepage&q&f=false

↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

Co-authored by:

Joe Simmons

Corporate Trainer

This article was co-authored by Joe Simmons. Joe Simmons is a Corporate Trainer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Joe specializes in operations management, leadership, learning and development, and employee training to help employees become high-performing teams. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The University of South Florida. Joe’s coaching has helped numerous organizations with employee retention, revenue growth, and team productivity. This article has been viewed 203,007 times.

15 votes - 77%

Co-authors: 23

Updated: January 10, 2024

Views: 203,007

Categories: Technical Writing

Article SummaryXTo write user manuals, start by breaking up the bulk of the content into chapters or sections that make sense for the product's use, then kick off the manual with a table of contents and glossary. Next, create safety warnings and write a description of the device. Then, include setup instructions, explain basic operations, and create a product summary to go at the end of the manual. You can also include a section on product care to go over cleaning, basic maintenance, storage, and troubleshooting information. To learn more about the ideal writing style for user manuals, read on!

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In other languages

Español:redactar manuales de usuario

한국어:유저 매뉴얼을 만드는 방법

Français:écrire un manuel d'utilisateur

Deutsch:Eine Gebrauchsanweisung erstellen

Nederlands:Een gebruikershandleiding schrijven

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Co-authored by:

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Co-authors: 23

Updated: January 10, 2024

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MANUAL Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

MANUAL Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DaySynonym of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredPop cultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll pop cultureWriting tipsGrammar Coach™Writing hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedPop cultureWriting tipsmanual[ man-yoo-uhl, -yuhl ]show ipaSee synonyms for manual on Thesaurus.comadjectivedone, operated, worked, etc., by the hand or hands rather than by an electrical or electronic device: a manual gearshift.involving or using human effort, skill, power, energy, etc.; physical: manual labor.of or relating to the hand or hands: manual deformities.of the nature of a manual or handbook: manual instructions.See morenouna small book, especially one giving information or instructions: a manual of mathematical tables.a nonelectric or nonelectronic typewriter; a typewriter whose keys and carriage may be powered solely by the typist's hands.Military. the prescribed drill in handling a rifle: the manual of arms.Music. a keyboard, especially one of several belonging to a pipe organ.Automotive. manual transmission. See moreOrigin of manual1First recorded in 1375–1425; from Latin manuālis (adjective), manuāle (noun) “(something) that can be held in the hand” (manu(s) “hand” + -ālis, -āle -al1, -al2); replacing late Middle English manuel, from Middle French, from Latin, as aboveOther words from manualman·u·al·ly, adverbnon·man·u·al, adjectiveun·man·u·al, adjectiveWords Nearby manualmantraman-trapmantuaManuManua Islandsmanualmanual alphabetmanualismmanualistmanuallymanual trainingDictionary.com Unabridged

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024How to use manual in a sentenceThe transition will begin in March, with new campaigns no longer having the option to use manual CPC in early April, and all campaigns are expected to be migrated over to eCPC by the end of April.Google might have to subsidize journalism, but not like this… | George Nguyen | February 10, 2021 | Search Engine LandCarolyn LydenDirector of Search ContentGoogle has released a new set of manual action guidelines for publishers appearing in the Google News and Discover spaces.Google hiding addresses in local pack and should you write meta descriptions: Tuesday’s daily brief | Carolyn Lyden | February 9, 2021 | Search Engine LandGoogle has quietly published a whole new set of manual actions around Google News and Google Discover policies and guidelines.Google publishes new manual actions aimed at Google News and Discover penalties | Barry Schwartz | February 8, 2021 | Search Engine LandMachine learning models save time on manual review, but their results are bound to be imperfect.How We Found Pricey Provisions in New Jersey Police Contracts | by Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica, and Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press | February 8, 2021 | ProPublicaThis is when manual verification and labeling became nearly impossible as data sets grew to tens of millions of photos, says Raji.This is how we lost control of our faces | Karen Hao | February 5, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewPolice said they seized several recording devices, including two hidden-camera clocks and a manual for a hidden-camera fan.Women Describe How Top D.C. Rabbi Allegedly Spied on Them in the Nude | Steven I. Weiss | October 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere he may have a legitimate complaint, though the al Qaeda manual makes no mention of providing captives with a Bible.What It’s Like to Be Snatched by the Delta Force | Michael Daly | October 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis from a guy who when he fled arrest in England left behind a computer containing “The Al Qaeda manual.”What It’s Like to Be Snatched by the Delta Force | Michael Daly | October 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBaffled by the jargon-heavy consumer information manual, I chatted with Cheryl Luptowski from the NSF consumer affairs office.Are Water Filters B.S.? | Michael Schulson | August 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAn email allegedly written by David Newman, an employee of the Cheyenne VA, reads like a how-to manual for cooking the books.Did the VA Pay Out Bonuses for Screwing Veterans? | Jacob Siegel | May 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis man by hard, manual labor makes only enough to pay for humble shelter and plain food.The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockThe Washington manual laborer school and the Howard institution can bear testimony to his industry and patriotism.The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe manual compass on these organs seldom extended higher than f2 or g3, though it often went down to GG.The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing MillerHe placed in the key slip below each manual what he called a "Pedal Help."The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing MillerThis would reduce the available time for direct manual labour at his disposal.Antonio Stradivari | Horace William PetherickSee More ExamplesBritish Dictionary definitions for manualmanual/ (ˈmænjʊəl) /adjectiveof or relating to a hand or handsoperated or done by hand: manual controlsphysical, as opposed to mental or mechanical: manual labourby human labour rather than automatic or computer-aided meansof, relating to, or resembling a manualSee morenouna book, esp of instructions or information: a car manualmusic one of the keyboards played by hand on an organmilitary the prescribed drill with small armsSee moreOrigin of manual1C15: via Old French from Latin manuālis, from manus handDerived forms of manualmanually, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition

© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins

Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Browse#aabbccddeeffgghhiijjkkllmmnnooppqqrrssttuuvvwwxxyyzzAboutCareersShopContact usAdvertise with usCookies, terms, & privacyDo not sell my infoFollow usGet the Word of the Day every day!Sign upBy clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.My account© 2024 Dictionary.com, LLC

MANUAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

MANUAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

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English

Meaning of manual in English

manualadjective us

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/ˈmæn.ju.əl/ uk

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/ˈmæn.ju.əl/

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B2 done with the hands: the manual sorting of letters She tried to cure the pain in my knee by putting manual pressure on the joint.

A manual machine is operated with the hands rather than by electricity or a motor: He still works on an old manual typewriter.

B2 involving physical work rather than mental work: unskilled manual labor 750 manual workers will lose their jobs as a result of company cutbacks. Computer-controlled robots are taking over manual jobs in many industries.

used to describe a vehicle in which the driver has to change the gears, or a feature of such a vehicle: He was driving a manual car when he only had a license for an automatic. She has a Jeep with a 5-speed manual transmission. Only 10 percent of the vehicles sold in Canada had a manual gearbox. Compare

automatic

More examplesFewer examplesThe EU has issued guidelines on appropriate levels of pay for part-time manual workers.The heating system has a manual override.She doesn't like doing manual work.We use a manual system of records.He has very good manual dexterity.I can't drive a manual car because of my disability, but I'm fine with an automatic.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

The hand

carpal

carpometacarpal

carpus

cuticle

dexterity

dexterous

finger

fingernail

fingertip

left-handed

left-hander

little finger

metacarpal

metacarpophalangeal

metacarpus

minimus

nail

opposable

palm

pinkie

See more results »

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Machines - general words

Types of employment

manualnoun [ C ] us

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/ˈmæn.ju.əl/ uk

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmæn.ju.əl/

manual noun [C]

(INSTRUCTIONS)

B2 a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something, such as a machine: a DIY manual The computer comes with a 600-page instruction manual.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Books: reference books

almanac

annual

atlas

bible

coursebook

dictionary

gazetteer

grammar

guide

handbook

headword

peerage

phrase book

speller

textbook

the Yellow Pages

thesaurus

who

who's who idiom

yearbook

See more results »

manual noun [C]

(VEHICLE)

a vehicle in which the driver has to change the gears: Can you drive a manual? Compare

automatic noun

More examplesFewer examplesWas the rental car an automatic or a manual?

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Machines - general words

3-D printer

animatronic

applicator

automated

automation

backhoe

chuck

coffee machine

convenience

Heath Robinson

humanoid

immobilizer

roller

snow blower

snow thrower

stacker

stump grinder

supersensitivity

valve

workhorse

See more results »

manual noun [C]

(MUSIC)

music

  specialized a keyboard, especially on an organ, designed to be played with the hands rather than the feet

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Musical instruments

accordion

acoustically

aerophone

alphorn

alto

drumbeat

drumhead

drumroll

drumstick

dulcimer

oud

over-pedal

panpipes

paradiddle

pedal steel

tubular bells

tuned

tuning fork

tuning peg

ukulele

See more results »

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

manual | Intermediate English

manualadjective [ not gradable ] us

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/ˈmæn·ju·əl/

manual adjective [not gradable]

(DONE BY HAND)

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done or operated with the hands: The mail can be sorted faster by machine then by manual sorting. He has callouses on his hands from years of manual labor.

If a machine is manual, it does not use electricity to operate: We all used manual typewriters in those days.

manually adverb us

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/ˈmæn·ju·ə·li/

a manually operated pump

manualnoun [ C ] us

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/ˈmæn·ju·əl/

manual noun [C]

(BOOK)

a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something: Get the computer manufacturer’s operating manual.

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

manual | Business English

manualadjective uk

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/ˈmænjuəl/ us

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Add to word list

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done or operated with the hands, and not using electricity, an electronic system, etc.: The printer has a single-sheet manual feed in front.manual process/system The computerized system that we introduced to replace our old manual system has brought significant advantages.

HR, WORKPLACE relating to physical work rather than mental work: manual job/labour/work, etc. He had no qualifications and ended up doing various types of manual work. It is men who have been hardest hit by the loss of permanent skilled and semi-skilled manual jobs. The largely female workforce continues, in the main, to be treated as part-time, unskilled manual labour.

manualnoun [ C ] uk

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

/ˈmænjuəl/ us

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

a book that gives you practical instructions on how to do something or how to use something such as a machine: Read through the instruction manual before you start. We provide a training manual for all new staff.

 on manual

not being operated automatically: The heating system had been left on manual.

See also

operations manual

service manual

(Definition of manual from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of manual

manual

It's a manual of sorts, complete with test missions and quizzes.

From CBS News

There's no manual on how to deal with this.

From Plain Dealer

Given the large size of the data set, manual data resolution would be unreasonable, which is why automated methods are necessary, they add.

From Phys.Org

The manual states to change the oil when the computer advises or once a year.

From Chicago Tribune

He says it isn't too much trouble to offer manual transmissions for a small pool of customers.

From NPR

There was no army manual on this, no standard operation procedure.

From CNN

The same sort of manual work is required to create more complex goods too.

From The Atlantic

User manuals from most cell phones suggest keeping the phone a certain distance from your head rather than pressed up against your ear.

From CNET

In the face of multitudes of rules and exceptions in every language pair, the manual input approach quickly became tedious.

From NPR

It used to be in here, but was taken out for lack of scientific evidence when the manual was revised 14 years ago.

From CBS News

Massage is a manual therapy that manipulates the soft tissues and decreases muscle tension, pain, stress and depression.

From Plain Dealer

While we may not be doing manual labor, much of our energy is mentally, emotionally or technologically drained.

From Huffington Post

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

Collocations with manual

manual

These are words often used in combination with manual. Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

design manualWhen did one last hear of an architect producing a design manual or registering a patent on the strength of a particular design?

From the Cambridge English Corpus  

field manualsThey continued until recent times to provide information for field manuals, host lists, and biological studies.

From Wikipedia

This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.

 

five-speed manualTransmission were either a five-speed manual with a floor shifter or a column-mounted four-speed automatic.

From Wikipedia

This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.

 

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

See all collocations with manual

What is the pronunciation of manual?

 

B2,B2,B2

Translations of manual

in Chinese (Traditional)

用手做的, 手工的, (機器)用手操作的,手動的…

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in Chinese (Simplified)

用手做的, 手工的, (机器)用手操作的,手动的…

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in Spanish

manual, manual de instrucciones [masculine, singular]…

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in Portuguese

manual, carro com câmbio manual, manual [masculine]…

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in more languages

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in Japanese

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हाताने करणे, हाताने, वीज किंवा मोटर न वापरता हातांनी चालवायचे यंत्र…

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手作業の, 取扱説明書, マニュアル…

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elle yapılan, el kitabı, kullanma kılavuzu…

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manuel [masculine], manuel/-elle, manuel…

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manual…

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hand-, niet-automatisch, handboek…

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கைகளால் செய்யக்கூடியது, ஒரு கையேடு இயந்திரம் மின்சாரம் அல்லது மோட்டார் மூலம் அல்லாமல் கைகளால் இயக்கப்படுகிறது, மன வேலையை விட உடல் வேலை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட…

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हाथों से किया हुआ, (एक मशीन का) हस्त-चालित, शारीरिक…

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હાથથી બનાવેલ, હાથનું, (મશીનનું) મેન્યુઅલી…

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manuel, hånd-, arbejdsmand…

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manuell, med händerna, hand-…

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dengan tangan, buruh kasar, manual…

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manuell, das Handbuch, das Manual…

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håndbok [masculine], bruksanvisning [masculine], manuell…

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ہاتھ سے کیا ہوا, دستی, ہاتھ سے چلائی جانے والی مشین…

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ручний, фізичний, такий…

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ручной, физический, руководство…

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చేతితో తయారు చేసిన, యంత్రాల ద్వారా కాకుండా చేతులతో పని చేసే, మెదడుతో ఆలోచించి చేసే పని కన్నా శారీరక శ్రమ ఎక్కువగా కలిగి ఉంటుంది…

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يَدَوي, كُتَيّب إرشادي…

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হস্তসাধিত, হাত দিয়ে চালানো, কায়িক শ্রম…

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ruční, manuální, příručka…

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dengan tangan, kasar, manual…

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เกี่ยวกับมือ, การทำงานที่ต้องใช้มือ, ทำด้วยมือ…

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thủ công, bằng tay, điều khiển bằng tay…

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fizyczny, ręczny, podręcznik…

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손으로 하는, 설명서…

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manuale, tastiera…

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mantelpiece

mantis

mantle

mantra

manual

manual alphabet

manual dexterity

manual handling

manual transmission

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non-manual

manual worker

service manual

manual alphabet

manual dexterity

manual handling

training manual

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/rɪˈspɒns/

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Contents

English 

 Adjective

Noun 

manual (INSTRUCTIONS)

manual (VEHICLE)

manual (MUSIC)

Intermediate 

 

Adjective 

manual (DONE BY HAND)

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manually

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manual (BOOK)

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 Adjective

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manual

on manual

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