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handyman

American  
[han-dee-man] / ˈhæn diˌmæn /

noun

plural

handymen

  1. a person hired to do various small jobs, especially in the maintenance of an apartment building, office building, or the like.

handyman British  
/ ˈhændɪˌmæn /

noun

  1. a man employed to do various tasks

  2. a man skilled in odd jobs, etc

"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

Gender

See -man.

Etymology

Origin of handyman

First recorded in 1870–75; handy + man

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.

Although I’m a writer with no talent for handyman projects, Bill always assured me and his other customers that we were up to the task.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Perpetually in the Belchers’ orbit is Teddy — handyman, loyal customer and Bob’s best friend.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

And the writers always find the sweetest ways to do that, as when Hank finds out his new retirement hobby as a handyman comes with the expectation of free therapy from his younger clients.

From Salon • Aug. 4, 2025

He's run his own handyman business and housed Ukrainian refugees for two years.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025

In Idaho he worked as a valet, a cook, a chauffeur, a mechanic, a general handyman.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

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.