Meaning & use
handsaw
Last updated
UK/ˈhændsɔː/
US/ˈhændsɔː/
Meaning
nouncountable
A saw that you hold and use with one hand, usually for cutting wood.
Grammar: Countable: use a/an or the, and the plural is handsaws.
Patterns
- use a handsaw
- cut something with a handsaw
- a sharp handsaw
He cut the board with a handsaw because the power was out.
A handsaw is quieter than an electric saw.
She keeps a small handsaw in her toolbox for quick jobs.
Word forms
| plural | handsaws |
|---|
Common combinations
- cut something with a handsaw
- You can cut the shelf with a handsaw.
- a sharp handsaw
- A sharp handsaw makes the work much easier.
- use a handsaw
- He used a handsaw to trim the branch.
- a fine-toothed handsaw
- A fine-toothed handsaw gives a smooth edge.
Synonyms and how they differ
- saw
- Saw is the general word for any cutting tool with a toothed blade, including power saws; handsaw specifically means a saw used with one hand.
- hacksaw
- A hacksaw is a saw with a fine blade for cutting metal, not wood.
Word family
Commonly confused: handsaw or hacksaw?
handsaw vs hacksaw
A hacksaw is for metal and has a thin blade in a frame; a handsaw is for wood and has a wider blade.
Practice
Which tool would you use to cut a piece of wood by hand?
Choose one answer.
A handsaw is the cutting tool for wood. A hammer hits nails, a screwdriver turns screws, and a wrench turns nuts and bolts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “handsaw”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.