handle

American  

[han-dl] / ˈhæn dl /

noun

handles plural

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

2. that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose.

   The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.

3. Slang.

   1. a person's name, especially the given name.

   2. a person's alias, nickname, or code name.

   3. a username, as on a social media website.

      What's your Twitter handle?

   4. a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. hand.

7. Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage.

   The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.

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verb (used with object)

handles, present (3rd person singular) handled, past participle, past handling present participle

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

2. to manage, deal with, or be responsible for.

   My wife handles the household accounts.

   This computer handles all our billing.

3. to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate.

   to handle color expertly in painting.

4. to manage, direct, train, or control.

   to handle troops.

5. to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.).

   The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.

6. to deal with or treat in a particular way.

   to handle a person with tact.

7. to deal or trade in.

   to handle dry goods.

   Synonyms:

   peddle, hawk, market, carry, vend, sell

verb (used without object)

handles, present (3rd person singular) handled, past participle, past handling present participle

1. to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc..

   The troops handled well.

   The jet was handling poorly.

idioms

1. get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of.

   Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?

2. fly off the handle, to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason.

   I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.

handle British  

/ ˈhændəl /

noun

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

2. a glass beer mug with a handle

3. slang a person's name or title

4. a CB radio slang name for call sign

5. an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something

   his background served as a handle for their mockery

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

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

8. informal to become suddenly extremely angry

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verb

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

2. to operate or employ using the hands

   the boy handled the reins well

3. to have power or control over

   my wife handles my investments

4. to manage successfully

   a secretary must be able to handle clients

5. to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)

6. to deal with or treat in a specified way

   I was handled with great tact

7. to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)

8. (intr) to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control

   the car handles well on bends

handle More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing handle

• fly off the handle
• get a fix (handle) on

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• handleability
  noun
• overhandle
  verb (used with object)
• prehandle
  verb (used with object)
• rehandle
  verb (used with object)
• handleable
  adjective
• handled
  adjective
• handleless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• handles
  plural

Participles

• handling
  present
• handled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• handle
  simple
• handles
  simple
• have handled
  perfect
• has handled
  perfect
• am handling
  progressive
• are handling
  progressive
• is handling
  progressive
• have been handling
  perfect progressive
• has been handling
  perfect progressive

Past

• handled
  simple
• had handled
  perfect
• was handling
  progressive
• were handling
  progressive
• had been handling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will handle
  simple
• will have handled
  perfect
• will be handling
  progressive
• will have been handling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of handle

First recorded 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

Explanation

To handle something is to control it, the way an elephant handler might handle an elephant, or the way you would use a handle to lift a suitcase. If you're panicking, a friend might suggest you "get a handle on yourself." How to get a handle on the word handle? Start with the thumb. Much like the word “thimble” is derived from “thumb,” “handle” essentially refers to an object held "in hand," or placed under your control. Handle can also have a more abstract meaning, such as understanding or grasping a concept. You should be able to handle geometry before you start trig, right? A handle is also slang for a nickname. "What's your handle?" is another way of saying "What's your name?"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

handle handles handled handling

When a newly confirmed district judge takes the bench, the FJC teaches him how to manage a docket, handle complex evidence and run a courtroom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Now, according to a state website, in Southern California, there are four major refineries that handle about two-thirds of the state’s crude oil capacity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

The elderly caller in mid-Wales who had slipped on decking was put through to the falls desk - initially set up as a pilot to handle around a thousand calls a day of this nature.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

In footage posted mid-June, state media showed a Revolutionary Guard member teaching women wearing heavy lipstick how to handle AK-47 assault rifles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

“I assume you want to buy the newspaper you’re holding. We ask that customers don’t handle the newspapers unless they plan to purchase one,” the vendor continues, pained.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

The position was created by statute in the 1800s; the marshal serves as the chief of police for the court, attends each court session, and handles ministerial duties, like paying the justices and their staffs.

From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2026

The SSA, which handles benefits for more than 75 million retirees, people with disabilities and dependents, said it made sweeping productivity gains.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Because this part of the brain generally handles one demanding task at a time, it has long been viewed as a major limit on multitasking.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

Now, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route that normally handles around one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural-gas flows—is close to a halt again, the IEA said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

It’s how he handles all of his problems, from fights with mom to a bad fiscal quarter for his business.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Further investigation into the cause and manner of death is being handled by the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026

A real plan carves out a protected reserve for that upfront, so the late-life risk is handled and the earlier spending is guilt-free.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026

In practically any other branch of the federal government, ethics issues would be handled by an inspector general’s office.

From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2026

But she says she has never handled so many iPhones with fried motherboards and malfunctioning touch screens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Similarly, the National Journal reported that between January 1997 and October 1999, the agency handled 3.4 million orders of Pentagon equipment from over eleven thousand domestic police agencies in all fifty states.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

County, like the state, to require companies handling a certain amount of hazardous materials to make annual detailed reports to L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Read: Social Security says it’s handling disability claims better.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

He says has seen at least five other cooks die in front of him, and believes this is because the substances they were handling seeped through gaps in their protective clothing.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

“Foreign Tongues” also marks the band’s second LP with Steve Jordan handling drum duties in place of the late Charlie Watts.

From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026

“How are you handling this weather?” he asked.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• control
• discuss
• employ
• exercise
• govern
• operate
• play
• serve
• supervise
• take
• treat
• use
• utilize
• work