handsy

American  

[hand-zee] / ˈhænd zi /

adjective

Informal.

1. tending to touch people with the hands, especially in an inappropriate or sexual way.

   She saw that he was getting handsy with some of the female guests.

2. (in golf, baseball, etc.) characterized by excessive hand and wrist movement.

   a handsy swing.

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Other Word Forms

• handsiness noun

Etymology

Origin of handsy

First recorded in 1960–65; either hands ( def. ) + -y ¹ ( def. ), or hand ( def. ) + -sy ( def. )

Example Sentences

It’s fraught enough to try such a handsy, dangerous, co-dependent activity with a friend or sibling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

In a clip that has been circulating on social media, students can be heard calling out "Beetlejuice" at Boebert, in reference to her handsy, vape-plumed wild night at the theater in Colorado last year.

From Salon • May 2, 2024

There are smaller characters crystallized in a flash: Lazar’s Duncan dainty and handsy, Maria Dizzia’s Lady Macduff heartbreakingly resolute.

From New York Times • Apr. 29, 2022

Chiefs cornerbacks played aggressively, and once officials flagged their handsy coverage, they failed to adjust.

From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2021

Greg and I are both mild-mannered, socially recessive WASPs not prone to public displays of affection, But put on some Beyoncé or Parliament with a strong beat and we get all handsy and hippy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2020