handouts
handouts — noun
- handoutssingular
- handoutsesplural
1. a printed or electronic summary of the main points on a topic, given to people i
a printed or electronic summary of the main points on a topic, given to people in a class, lecture, or meeting so they can follow along or review later
Walid used the chemistry handout's diagrams to understand how carbon atoms bond in organic molecules.
collocation: study/follow a handout
After the geography lecture, Tamás collected the handouts from Professor Chen and filed them by topic.
Arjun used the ecology handout to review key concepts before the final exam.
Xiu's art teacher gave everyone a handout with step-by-step instructions for mixing watercolor paints.
Each student got a four-page handout on Roman history, with battle timelines and emperor profiles.
文法句型
handout + about/on + topic
handout + for + purpose
用法筆記
The noun is typically used in educational or professional settings. It is often combined with verbs like 'prepare,' 'distribute,' 'receive,' or 'study.'
常見錯誤
2. food, money, clothing, or other basic goods given free of charge to people who a
food, money, clothing, or other basic goods given free of charge to people who are very poor or facing an emergency situation and cannot afford these things themselves
The local shelter provided handouts of warm meals and blankets every evening in winter.
collocation: provide handouts of [items]
Ravindra refused to accept government handouts and insisted on finding a regular job instead.
often carries negative connotation
The charity's handouts included rice, cooking oil, and school supplies for the village children.
Chiara's grandmother never liked taking handouts, even when the family struggled to pay the rent.
After the earthquake, the relief organization distributed handouts of clean water and basic medicine.
- charity
broader term that includes money, time, or help given to those in need; 'handouts' focuses on material goods
- donation
money or goods given voluntarily, but not necessarily to the very poor; 'donation' has a more positive tone
- alms
historical or religious term for money or food given to the poor; less common in modern everyday English
文法句型
handouts + of + [items]
government/charity handouts
用法筆記
This sense often carries a slightly negative or uncomfortable tone, suggesting dependency rather than empowerment. The singular form ('a handout') is possible but less common than 'handouts.'
常見錯誤
handouts — verb
- handoutspresent simple I / you / we / they
- handoutses3rd person singular
- handoutsing-ing form
- handoutsedpast simple
1. to offer people things such as samples, leaflets, or tickets without asking for
to offer people things such as samples, leaflets, or tickets without asking for payment, usually in a public place or event
The company handed out free samples of their new coffee at the supermarket entrance.
hand out + free + [product] for promotion
Volunteers handed out bottles of water to runners at the finish line of the race.
The librarian handed out reading lists to every student who joined the summer book club.
At the festival, staff handed out maps showing where each stage and food area was.
- distribute
more formal; can include paid or unpaid distribution
- give away
similar meaning but slightly more informal, often used for promotional items
- pass out
informal synonym, very common in everyday speech
文法句型
hand out + [items] + to + [someone]
hand + [items] + out
用法筆記
Frequently used in marketing, promotions, and event organisation. The object can be placed between 'hand' and 'out' (hand the leaflets out) or after 'out' (hand out the leaflets).
常見錯誤
2. to give generous amounts of something such as praise, advice, or rewards, often
to give generous amounts of something such as praise, advice, or rewards, often with enthusiasm or without careful restraint
The professor handed out praise to every student who finished the difficult project on time.
hand out + [abstract noun] generously
Sofie's foundation handed out generous scholarship awards to thirty students from poor families this year.
hand out + [abstract noun] generously
Beatriz handed out useful career guidance to every intern who joined the office this summer.
Eric handed out compliments freely, making sure each member of his band felt appreciated.
- withhold
to keep something back instead of giving it freely
文法句型
hand out + [abstract noun] + to + [someone]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the generosity or abundance of what is given rather than the lack of payment. The object can be concrete (snacks) or abstract (praise, compliments).
常見錯誤
3. to officially give someone a punishment, a penalty, a task, or a set of instruct
to officially give someone a punishment, a penalty, a task, or a set of instructions, especially when acting from a position of authority
The judge handed out harsh prison sentences to the leaders of the smuggling ring.
hand out + [punishment] authoritatively
The principal handed out detention notices to students who had been fighting in the hallway.
The committee handed out fines to every team that broke the competition's official rules.
The sergeant handed out clear orders to each soldier before the training exercise began.
文法句型
hand out + [punishment/order] + to + [someone]
用法筆記
The object in this sense is typically something unwanted or disciplinary — a punishment, fine, sentence, or order. It is not used for physical objects like food or leaflets (use sense 1 instead).