handprint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handprint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the impression or mark made by a person's hand, often in contexts related to art, identification, or personal expression. Example: "The artist left a colorful handprint on the canvas as a signature of their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing idyllic Family feuds ReprintsAfter a barrage of public criticism, Mandela's daughters Makaziwe and Zenani dropped a court action to wrest control of a family trust with an estimated $2.4m in royalties from artworks featuring the Mandela handprint.

The Economist

Her killer, an immigrant from the Ivory Coast named Rudy Guede, was convicted in 2008 after police matched him with a handprint in Ms Kercher's blood and multiple DNA samples retrieved at the scene.

The Economist

Biometric devices can map minutiae in a single fingerprint and then compare it with an exemplar on file, conduct a retinal or iris scan of the eye, measure and map an entire handprint, or create a digital map of the face.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, in his poster (1988) for a musical play which was itself adapted from a nursery rhyme about soap bubbles Satō combined an astronomical sky chart and a handprint glowing with a lavender-and-blue aura to evoke a feeling of ephemeral atmospheric space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the move to the converted shipping containers, accessed by a digital handprint, has been met with resistance from many refugees who worry that giving such information to the authorities could impede asylum claims.

Independent

A creative, prolific scholar who sought the human handprint behind grand but arid historical abstractions, Bloch entered history through his own personal commitment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The thrill of sullying pristine environments — of planting a handprint in freshly laid concrete — is particularly acute in those precincts in which there aren't many pristine environments left to sully.

The New Yorker

On the shark's side, Skomal had left a handprint, in her blood, while stitching the incision.

The New Yorker

When school ended, Amanda took a job babysitting Nathaniel, the boy with the red handprint.

The New Yorker

As someone with not enough wooden spoons, ungovernable bangs, and a handprint on my dishwasher that will never wipe away, I was hooked.

The New Yorker

Donegan's willingness to experiment is never in doubt, from an absurd little painting of Karl Marx on a handprint turkey to a group of abject abstractions involving glitter and metallic tape (among other things) on cardboard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "handprint", consider the context and purpose. Is it a forensic clue, a child's art project, or a symbolic gesture? Choose descriptive words that accurately convey the specific meaning and visual characteristics of the "handprint".

Common error

Avoid using "handprint" and fingerprint interchangeably. A "handprint" encompasses the entire hand, while a fingerprint is only the impression of the ridges on the fingers. Be precise in your terminology to avoid misrepresenting the evidence or artwork you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "handprint" functions primarily as a countable noun, denoting a mark or impression left by a hand. This is evident in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, where "handprint" is used to describe physical traces, artworks, or identifying marks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig, the noun "handprint" is grammatically sound and frequently employed in diverse contexts. It typically refers to a mark or impression left by a hand, as highlighted by the plentiful examples showcasing its use in news articles, encyclopedias, and other publications. While the term is generally considered neutral, its specific connotation is largely determined by the context in which it is used. Alternatives include "hand impression" or "palm print". Remember to differentiate it from "fingerprint" and to consider the purpose and meaning you intend to convey when utilizing "handprint" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand impression

Replaces "print" with "impression", focusing on the act of pressing rather than the resulting mark.

hand mark

Uses a more general term, "mark", to describe the trace left by a hand.

palm print

Specifies that the impression is made by the palm of the hand.

fingerprint

Refers specifically to the impression made by the fingers.

hand stencil

Describes an outline of the hand, often created using paint or other materials.

manual imprint

Emphasizes that the impression was made by hand rather than by a machine.

hand trace

Focuses on the outline or shape of the hand left behind.

manual signature

Implies that the "handprint" serves as a form of signature or identification.

hand stamp

Describes the action of pressing the hand onto a surface to create an image.

hand silhouette

Focuses on the shadow-like image left by the hand.

FAQs

How can I use "handprint" in a sentence?

You can use "handprint" to describe a mark left by a hand. For example, "The wall was covered in children's "handprints"." or "The detective found a bloody "handprint" at the crime scene."

What's the difference between a "handprint" and a fingerprint?

A "handprint" is the impression of the entire hand, while a fingerprint is the impression of the ridges of the fingers. They are both unique identifiers, but a "handprint" covers a larger area and includes more information than just the fingertips.

What is another word for "handprint"?

Synonyms for "handprint" include "hand impression", "hand mark", or "palm print" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "handprint" a formal word?

"Handprint" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.