handsfree / hands-free

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant and other native English speakers,

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100618/ap_ … ed_driving
The Pew study didn’t take into account that some drivers may be using handsfree devices such as Bluetooth headsets when they talk and drive, but Madden pointed out that simply having a conversation can be a distraction.

Is handsfree, not “hands-free,” acceptable?

2

According to my dictionary… and the documentation that came with my mobile phone… it is, yes.

3

Thank you, B. May I ask what the title of your dictionary is? Which do you personally prefer, “hands-free” or “handsfree”?

4

I prefer the hyphenated version. I find it easier and quicker to comprehend.

OneLook Dictionary offers 4 definitions for handsfree:

  1. handsfree: Wiktionary [home, info]
  2. handsfree: Infoplease Dictionary [home, info]
  3. handsfree: Dictionary.com [home, info]
  4. Handsfree: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia [home, info]

and 8 definitions for hands-free:

  1. hands-free: Macmillan Dictionary [home, info]
  2. hands-free: Wordnik [home, info]
  3. hands-free: Wiktionary [home, info]
  4. hands-free: Cobuild Student Dictionary for Learners of English [home, info]
  5. hands-free: Encarta® World English Dictionary, North American Edition [home, info]
  6. hands-free: Dictionary.com [home, info]
  7. Hands-free: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia [home, info]
  8. hands-free: Dictionary/thesaurus [home, info]
5

Thank you, MM.