handsy

[ hand-zee ]

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.

Other Words From

• hands·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handsy¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

That’s a team that’s going to give a lot of teams a lot of problems — they’re very handsy.

From Washington Post

All demurred—much to the chagrin of Team Jacob fans everywhere—so Stewart showed off her ability to get handsy with herself.

From 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.

From Project Gutenberg