handle

[ han-dl ]

/ ˈhæn dl /

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See synonyms for: handle / handled / handles / handling on Thesaurus.com

noun

a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.

that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose: The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.

Slang.

a person's name, especially the given name.
a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
a username, as on a social media website: What's your Twitter handle?
a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.

the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing: The track handle for the day was over a million dollars.

the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, especially by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like.

hand (def. 27).

Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage: The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.

verb (used with object), han·dled, han·dling.

to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.

to manage, deal with, or be responsible for: My wife handles the household accounts. This computer handles all our billing.

to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate: to handle color expertly in painting.

to manage, direct, train, or control: to handle troops.

to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.): The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.

to deal with or treat in a particular way: to handle a person with tact.

to deal or trade in: to handle dry goods.

verb (used without object), han·dled, han·dling.

to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc.: The troops handled well. The jet was handling poorly.

OTHER WORDS FOR handle

14 sell, vend, carry, market; hawk, peddle.

See synonyms for handle on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about handle

fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason: I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.

get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of: Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?

Origin of handle

before 900; (noun) Middle English handel, Old English hand(e)le, derivative of hand; (verb) Middle English handelen, Old English handlian (cognate with German handlen, Old Norse hǫndla to seize), derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM handle

han·dle·a·ble, adjectivehan·dle·a·bil·i·ty, nounhan·dle·less, adjectiveo·ver·han·dle, verb (used with object), o·ver·han·dled, o·ver·han·dling.

pre·han·dle, verb (used with object), pre·han·dled, pre·han·dling.re·han·dle, verb (used with object), re·han·dled, re·han·dling.

Words nearby handle

handkerchief, handkerchief table, hand-knit, handlanger, hand-launder, handle, handlebar, handlebar moustache, handlebars, handled, hand lens

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

How to use handle in a sentence

Carved above the door’s handle is an eye out of which a pool of static grows, destabilizing the image.
‘Little Nightmares II’: A hypnotic, dark fairy tale|Christopher Byrd|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Astronomers may soon get a better handle on the compositions of TRAPPIST-1’s planets.
Two exoplanet families redefine what planetary systems can look like|Lisa Grossman|February 5, 2021|Science News
As time goes on, keeping a handle on things gets more time consuming as you are adding news terms and copies every day.
Google Ads new features: Five tips for your Google Ads campaigns|Martin Romerio|February 3, 2021|Search Engine Watch
Like most members of the Reddit channel WallStreetBets, he prefers the anonymity of his handle.
A Reddit user on what it’s like to be part of “the mother of all short squeezes”|Samanth Subramanian|January 28, 2021|Quartz

The models have to accurately figure out how the two streams of flow will interact with the high pressure to get a solid handle on the forecast.
Increasing chances for a wintry mix early next week in the D.C. area|Jason Samenow, Wes Junker|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
The judges who handle arraignments at criminal court in all five boroughs have a small fraction of their usual caseloads.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet, what my peers do not realize – or cannot handle – is that rejection is a necessary part of forging a romantic relationships.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating|Ellie Schaack|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Not bragging, but come on, most guys my age can handle maybe one or two in one night.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex|Aurora Snow|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People always have to perceive the problems before them, including many unexpected nuances, and decide how to handle them.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This past summer, Colleen LaRose, known by her self-anointed handle ‘Jihad Jane’, was sentenced to ten years in prison.
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe About Dealing with Terrorists|Scott Beauchamp|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For who, while tears are falling, will pause to handle the wreaths, and find whether they are genuine?
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He stood swaying the umbrella-handle about, looking down at it, as if that would assist his decision.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Then, his hand resting on the handle of the cab-door, this expression suddenly changed to one of alert suspicion.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
The active Capt descended, and seizing the substantial handle rang loudly.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
"I did n't fly off the handle," said the screw, twirling huskily at the end of the screw-shaft.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for handle

handle

/ (ˈhændəl) /

noun

the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object

NZ a glass beer mug with a handle

slang a person's name or title

a CB radio slang name for call sign

an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing somethinghis background served as a handle for their mockery

the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling

the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event

fly off the handle informal to become suddenly extremely angry

verb (mainly tr)

to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands

to operate or employ using the handsthe boy handled the reins well

to have power or control overmy wife handles my investments

to manage successfullya secretary must be able to handle clients

to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)

to deal with or treat in a specified wayI was handled with great tact

to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)

(intr) to react or respond in a specified way to operation or controlthe car handles well on bends

Derived forms of handle

handleable, adjectivehandled, adjectivehandleless, adjective

Word Origin for handle

Old English; related to Old Saxon handlon (vb), Old High German hantilla towel

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 handle

handle

In addition to the idioms beginning with handle

handle to one's name
handle with gloves

also see:

fly off the handle
get a fix (handle) on

handle

OTHER WORDS FOR handle

Idioms about handle

Origin of handle

OTHER WORDS FROM handle

Words nearby handle

Words related to handle

How to use handle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for handle

Derived forms of handle

Word Origin for handle

Other Idioms and Phrases with handle