handy

¹

[ han-dee ]

adjective

, hand·i·er, hand·i·est.

1. within easy reach; conveniently available; accessible:

   The aspirins are handy.

2. convenient or useful:

   A digital thermometer is a handy thing to have at home.

3. skillful with the hands; deft; dexterous:

   a handy person.

   Synonyms: versatile, all-around

4. easily maneuvered:

   a handy ship.

   Synonyms: yare, wieldy, manageable

Handy

²

[ han-dee ]

noun

1. W(illiam) C(hristopher), 1873–1958, U.S. blues composer.

Handy

¹

/ ˈhændɪ /

noun

1. HandyW(illiam) C(hristopher)18731958MUSMUSIC: blues musicianMUSIC: songwriter W ( illiam ) C ( hristopher ). 1873–1958, US blues musician and songwriter, esp noted for the song "St Louis Blues"

handy

²

/ ˈhændɪ /

adjective

1. conveniently or easily within reach
2. easy to manoeuvre, handle, or use

   a handy tool

3. skilful with one's hands

Derived Forms

• ˈhandiness, noun

Other Words From

• handi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handy¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (in surnames); hand, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see come in handy .

Synonym Study

See dexterous.

Example Sentences

But Gottlieb said she challenged her team to use that stretch to try new things and learn what works with a new roster, all the while honing in details that would come in handy later.

From Los Angeles Times

Shopping locally for groceries may be handy but people who rely on convenience stores can end up paying far more.

From BBC

Hindsight is very handy, but I was surprised with the timing of some of the changes England made, as I didn't feel they were necessary.

From BBC

They include 15,000 campsites and 5,200 miles of trails — and you can get into every single one of them with this handy little pass.

From Los Angeles Times

These handy, reusable linen bags are designed to keep veggies and leafy greens crisp for longer and to prevent them from dissolving into brownish-green smears of goo in a plastic bag.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• available
• convenient
• helpful
• manageable
• neat
• practicable
• practical
• profitable
• useful