handsy

[ hand-zee ]

adjectiveInformal.

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.
(in golf, baseball, etc.) characterized by excessive hand and wrist movement: a handsy swing.

Origin of handsy

First recorded in 1960–65; either hands + -y¹, or hand + -sy

In Linda’s case, her womanhood also gives her psychological cover, as she convinces herself she’s protecting Monica from a handsy womanizer like Bill.
‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ shows there are limits to how much we can (or should) rehab ’90s tabloid figures | Inkoo Kang | September 1, 2021 | Washington Post
That’s a team that’s going to give a lot of teams a lot of problems — they’re very handsy.
Shorthanded Wizards lack physicality in blowout loss to Phoenix | Ava Wallace | April 11, 2021 | Washington Post
All demurred—much to the chagrin of Team Jacob fans everywhere—so Stewart showed off her ability to get handsy with herself.
9 Best Moments at MTV Movie Awards, From Kristen Stewart to Johnny Depp | Shannon Donnelly | June 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ladies screamed, and we saw Other Kingdom as one who claps the handsy and heard it as one who roars with laughter in the thunder.
The Celestial Omnibus and other Stories | E. M. Forster

Browse