handle

[ han-dl ]

noun

1. a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.
2. that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose:

   The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.

3. Slang.
   1. a person's name, especially the given name.
   2. a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
   3. a username, as on a social media website:

      What's your Twitter handle?

   4. a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.
4. the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing:

   The track handle for the day was over a million dollars.

5. the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, especially by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like.
6. hand ( def 27 ).
7. Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage:

   The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.

verb (used with object)

, han·dled, han·dling.

1. to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.
2. to manage, deal with, or be responsible for:

   My wife handles the household accounts.

   This computer handles all our billing.

3. to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate:

   to handle color expertly in painting.

4. to manage, direct, train, or control:

   to handle troops.

5. to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.):

   The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.

6. to deal with or treat in a particular way:

   to handle a person with tact.

7. to deal or trade in:

   to handle dry goods.

   Synonyms: peddle, hawk, market, carry, vend, sell

verb (used without object)

, han·dled, han·dling.

1. to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc.:

   The troops handled well.

   The jet was handling poorly.

handle

/ ˈhændəl /

noun

1. the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
2. a glass beer mug with a handle
3. slang.
   a person's name or title
4. a CB radio slang name for call sign
5. an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something

   his background served as a handle for their mockery

6. the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
7. the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
8. fly off the handle informal.
   to become suddenly extremely angry

verb

1. to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
2. to operate or employ using the hands

   the boy handled the reins well

3. to have power or control over

   my wife handles my investments

4. to manage successfully

   a secretary must be able to handle clients

5. to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
6. to deal with or treat in a specified way

   I was handled with great tact

7. to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
8. intr to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control

   the car handles well on bends

Derived Forms

• ˈhandleable, adjective
• ˈhandled, adjective
• ˈhandleless, adjective

Other Words From

• handle·a·ble adjective
• handle·a·bili·ty noun
• handle·less adjective
• over·handle verb (used with object) overhandled overhandling
• pre·handle verb (used with object) prehandled prehandling
• re·handle verb (used with object) rehandled rehandling

Word History and Origins

Origin of handle¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English handel, Old English hand(e)le, derivative of hand none; (verb) Middle English handelen, Old English handlian (cognate with German handlen, Old Norse hǫndla “to seize”), derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handle¹

Old English; related to Old Saxon handlon (vb), Old High German hantilla towel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason:

   I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.

2. get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of:

   Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?

More idioms and phrases containing handle

• fly off the handle
• get a fix (handle) on

Example Sentences

You can cruise around the world for the next four years, if your bank account can handle it.

From Salon

“Your guess is as good as mine,” McVay said, adding, “It’s been some challenging, unique circumstances for sure. You certainly hope so, but here we are 10 weeks in and it just seems like you’re getting more resilient to handle it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Women will keep on doing the work of combat jobs, but will be denied the titles, honors and rewards of doing so, just to prop up the illusion that only men have the toughness to handle it.

From Salon

He wants us to imagine straight male American soldiers are "honorable, powerful and deadly," but also portrays them as too feeble to handle the diverse modern military.

From Salon

A brown bear — and there hasn’t been one of those in Southern California for more than a century — breaks into a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, seemingly using the door handle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• control
• deal with
• discuss
• employ
• exercise
• govern
• operate
• play
• serve
• supervise
• take
• treat
• use
• utilize
• work