door handle

noun

Chiefly British.

1. doorknob.

Word History and Origins

Origin of door handle¹

First recorded in 1825–35

When To Use

What is a door handle?

A door handle is the handle used to open and close a door.Sometimes, it means the same thing as doorknob. But the word doorknob most often specifically refers to a handle shaped like a knob—a part that sticks out and has a rounded end. Door handles in other shapes might be called doorknobs, but it’s more likely for them to be called door handles or just handles.Another difference is that doorknobs typically turn. Door handles can turn, but they can also be fixed in place, like a vertical or horizontal bar.The term door handle can also refer to the one that’s used to open a car door.Example: I went to open the door and the door handle pulled right off—apparently its screws had gotten loose.