handcuff

1 of 2

noun

hand·​cuff ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 

: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs

transitive verb

1

: to apply handcuffs to : manacle

2

: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless

handcuffed by strict regulations

Synonyms

Noun

• band
• bind
• bond
• bracelet
• chain
• cuff(s)
• fetter
• irons
• ligature
• manacle(s)
• shackle

Verb

• bind
• chain
• enchain
• enfetter
• fetter
• gyve
• manacle
• pinion
• shackle
• trammel

Examples of handcuff in a Sentence

Noun

the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs

Verb

wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father

the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Body camera footage from Detweiler, who was at the scene during the shooting, shows Hill lying on the garage’s floor while in handcuffs. —Amanda Musa, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

Sabrina Carpenter had a special pair of handcuffs for Millie Bobby Brown in Atlanta. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

Gerald had handcuffed Jessie to the bed as part of the game, leaving her trapped and unable to escape. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt handcuffed the offense early, and now more injuries are piling up in the receiver room. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

handcuff

noun

hand·​cuff

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

: a metal fastening locking around a wrist and usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening

—usually used in plural

handcuff verb