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Synonyms

handler

American  
[hand-ler] / ˈhænd lər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that handles.

  2. Boxing. a person who assists in the training of a fighter or is the fighter's second during a fight.

  3. a person who exhibits a dog in a bench show or field trial.

handler 1 British  
/ ˈhændlə /

noun

  1. a person, esp a police officer, in charge of a specially trained dog

  2. a person who handles some specified thing

    a baggage handler

  3. a person who holds or incites a dog, gamecock, etc, esp in a race or contest

  4. the trainer or second of a boxer

"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
Handler 2 British  
/ ˈhændlə /

noun

  1. Daniel . born 1970, US writer for older children, best known for the macabre humour of his A Series of Unfortunate Events , a sequence of books written in the persona of Lemony Snicket

"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

Etymology

Origin of handler

1350–1400; Middle English. See handle, -er 1

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.

The young dog handler gave her mum and fellow competitor Lydia Mellor a "big hug" when she heard the news.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

After Bruin's victory, the dog's handler described him as "a bit of a diva" who "likes his own way".

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

He testified through an interpreter that his handler had told him the possible targets might be Trump, Biden or former South Carolina Gov. and presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

“Faster reaction times for air cargo makes this mode of transportation a preferred means for moving time-critical shipments in a quickly evolving environment,” the air-cargo handler says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

I heard the dog’s handler shout in surprise and then scramble down the ramp, pulling his yelping dog along with him.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

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.