handy

[ han-dee ]

/ ˈhæn di /

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See synonyms for handy on Thesaurus.com

adjective, hand·i·er, hand·i·est.

within easy reach; conveniently available; accessible: The aspirins are handy.

convenient or useful: A digital thermometer is a handy thing to have at home.

skillful with the hands; deft; dexterous: a handy person.

easily maneuvered: a handy ship.

OTHER WORDS FOR handy

3 all-around; versatile.

4 manageable, wieldy; yare.

See synonyms for handy on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of handy

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (in surnames); see hand, -y¹

synonym study for handy

3. See dexterous.

OTHER WORDS FROM handy

hand·i·ness, noun

Other definitions for handy (2 of 2)

Handy

[ han-dee ]

/ ˈhæn di /

noun

W(illiam) C(hristopher), 1873–1958, U.S. blues composer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use handy in a sentence

Watch how the whole thing comes together in this handy video.
Vegetarian and vegan main dishes to anchor your Thanksgiving menu|Becky Krystal, Kari Sonde|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
He thinks that might be partly because prisoners don’t have their Social Security numbers handy, and would have to ask corrections officers for help in locating them.
Millions Still Haven’t Gotten Stimulus Checks, Including Many Who Need Them Most|by Lydia DePillis|October 30, 2020|ProPublica
If you have a candy thermometer, it might come in handy, but if you don’t, carefully dip a clean finger in—don’t burn yourself—and feel for slightly higher than room temperature.
Go full-on mad scientist by making your own Halloween candy|John Kennedy, Sandra Gutierrez G., Purbita Saha|October 30, 2020|Popular-Science
They’re a category of math equations that are really good at describing change over space and time, and thus very handy for describing the physical phenomena in our universe.
AI has cracked a key mathematical puzzle for understanding our world|Karen Hao|October 30, 2020|MIT Technology Review

He and his son have hired just about anyone they can find who’s handy with a drill.
The trend that helps explain why the economy is still in trouble — and the recovery is uneven|Heather Long, Andrew Van Dam|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
My handiness with the ropes, when I volunteered to help in hoisting sail, surprised and even perplexed him.
The Adventures of Harry Revel|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
Besides, their speed and superior handiness give them a pull over us, when fighting under sail.
The Tiger of Mysore|G. A. Henty
Expert native authorities have a very high opinion of the handiness of Hazara slave girls.
The Gates of India|Thomas Holdich
He has been invaluable with his sailor's resources and handiness.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
Butts had been introduced as a stalking-horse, but there was no doubt about Si's admiration of his "handiness."
The Magnetic North|Elizabeth Robins (C. E. Raimond)

British Dictionary definitions for handy (1 of 2)

handy

/ (ˈhændɪ) /

adjective handier or handiest

conveniently or easily within reach

easy to manoeuvre, handle, or usea handy tool

skilful with one's hands

Derived forms of handy

handiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for handy (2 of 2)

Handy

/ (ˈhændɪ) /

noun

W (illiam) C (hristopher). 1873–1958, US blues musician and songwriter, esp noted for the song "St Louis Blues"

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with handy

handy

see come in handy.

handy

OTHER WORDS FOR handy

Origin of handy

synonym study for handy

OTHER WORDS FROM handy

Other definitions for handy (2 of 2)

Words related to handy

How to use handy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for handy (1 of 2)

Derived forms of handy

British Dictionary definitions for handy (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with handy