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Guideline vs Handbook - What's the difference?

guideline | handbook |

As nouns the difference between guideline and handbook

is that guideline is a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour while handbook is a topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, disregarding the size of it.

guideline

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
    • He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.
  • A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
  • A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.

    • Synonyms

    * (non-specific rule) rule of thumb * (plan or explanation) rule of thumb

    handbook

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia handbook) (en noun)
  • A topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, disregarding the size of it.

    • Coordinate terms

    * manual