handle
Americannoun
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a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.
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that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose.
The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.
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Slang.
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a person's name, especially the given name.
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a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
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a username, as on a social media website.
What's your Twitter handle?
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a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.
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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.
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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.
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hand.
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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)
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to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.
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to manage, deal with, or be responsible for.
My wife handles the household accounts.
This computer handles all our billing.
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to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate.
to handle color expertly in painting.
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to manage, direct, train, or control.
to handle troops.
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to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.).
The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.
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to deal with or treat in a particular way.
to handle a person with tact.
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to deal or trade in.
to handle dry goods.
verb (used without object)
idioms
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get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of.
Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?
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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.
noun
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the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
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a glass beer mug with a handle
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slang a person's name or title
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a CB radio slang name for call sign
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an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something
his background served as a handle for their mockery
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the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
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the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
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informal to become suddenly extremely angry
verb
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to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
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to operate or employ using the hands
the boy handled the reins well
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to have power or control over
my wife handles my investments
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to manage successfully
a secretary must be able to handle clients
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to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
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to deal with or treat in a specified way
I was handled with great tact
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to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
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(intr) to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control
the car handles well on bends
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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handlesimple
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handlessimple
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have handledperfect
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has handledperfect
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am handlingprogressive
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are handlingprogressive
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is handlingprogressive
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have been handlingperfect progressive
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has been handlingperfect progressive
Past
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handledsimple
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had handledperfect
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was handlingprogressive
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were handlingprogressive
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had been handlingperfect progressive
Future
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?"
Vocabulary lists containing handle
Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do
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Macbeth's "Is this a dagger..." soliloquy
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"Digging" by Seamus Heaney
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the September 22, 2025, print edition as 'How to Handle a Job Market That’s Worse Than It Looks'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 18, 2025
The comedian and “School of Rock” star surprised moviegoers at a showing of “Minecraft” over the weekend and encouraged them to be on their best behavior, according to video shared Sunday by the Hollywood Handle.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025
With the reality TV dating genre's recent boost from Netflix shows such as Love is Blind, The Ultimatum and Too Hot to Handle, audiences now have more options than ever at their disposal.
From BBC • Jan. 11, 2025
Handle: Why your dog should have a harness, rather than a collar.
From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024
There was a large jar of Fleetwood’s High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of gleaming silver Tail-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass to clip on your broom for long journeys, and a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
