handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: convenient for use

c

of a ship : easily handled

2

: clever in using the hands especially in a variety of useful ways

handy with a hammer as well as with a paintbrush

handiness noun

Synonyms

• accessible
• convenient
• reachable

Examples of handy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or grab year-round essentials like this five-outlet surge protector for any of your many devices and this touchless thermometer that’s sure to come in handy during flu season. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Did anyone win the Powerball? Keep those tickets handy. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Then there’s a very handy upgrade: the mouse, keyboard and trackpad are all wireless, but now connect via USB-C instead of Lightning. —David Phelan, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

They are simply halved and cored, which creates a handy and tasty vessel for the oat and walnut streusel topping mounded in their centers. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing handy

• come in handy
• handy dandy
• handy for

Kids Definition

handy

adjective

ˈhan-dē 

handier; handiest

1

a

: conveniently near

b

: easily handled or used

a handy sloop

a handy reference book

2

: clever in using the hands : dexterous

handy with a needle

Biographical Definition

Handy

biographical name

Han·​dy ˈhan-dē 

W(illiam) C(hristopher) 1873–1958 American blues musician